Police in Chhattisgarh’s Bilaspur have arrested three men from Nagpur in connection with an alleged occult ritual carried out at a cremation ground, where photographs of Chhattisgarh High Court Chief Justice Ramesh Sinhaand two other people were reportedly placed.

According to police, the ritual was not intended to harm the Chief Justice. Investigators believe the accused allegedly used the ritual as a means to frighten a family involved in a knife-attack case and pressure them into paying money and withdrawing the case.

One accused had already been caught by local residents at the cremation ground while the alleged ritual was taking place. Police said he was the person who had allegedly arranged and performed the occult activity.

₹1 Lakh Demand Over Bail

According to the investigation, Om Bole, 23, a resident of Dayalband, is the brother of Priyanshu Bole, who is currently in jail in connection with a knife-attack case.

Police allege that Om and his associates approached the victim's family and demanded ₹1 lakh, claiming that the money had been spent on securing Priyanshu's bail.

When the family allegedly refused to pay, the accused threatened them and pressured them to withdraw the case.

Police said the accused allegedly warned the family that an occult ritual would be performed against them if they did not pay the money.

Ritual Conducted at Cremation Ground

Investigators said the accused allegedly planned the ritual specifically to create fear among the complainant and his family.

The group reportedly contacted Rishikesh Kumar, 28, through Instagram for the alleged ritual. Police said Rishikesh was subsequently found at the Deori cremation ground, where he was allegedly performing the activity.

Several items, including a dead fish, lemons, vermilion and other ritual materials, were reportedly recovered from the spot.

Photographs of Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, the jailed accused Priyanshu Bole and the complainant were also reportedly found at the location.

Police suspect that the photographs and ritual were used to create psychological pressure on the complainant rather than as part of any actual attempt to harm the Chief Justice.

Three Suspects Arrested in Nagpur

While Rishikesh was caught at the cremation ground by local residents, three other suspects allegedly fled from the spot.

Police later traced and arrested the three from Nagpur, Maharashtra.

The accused have been identified as Om Bole, Tarun Bajaj, 27, a resident of Torwa, and Mohammed Israr, 22, from Safed Khadan. Rishikesh Kumar was also taken into custody in connection with the case.

The police are now investigating the accused's Instagram contacts and whether other people were involved in arranging the alleged ritual.

Case Registered Under Threat and Tonhi Law

A case has been registered at Torwa police station based on the victim's complaint. Police have invoked provisions relating to criminal intimidation and alleged Tonhi harassment.

Bilaspur ASP City Pankaj Patel said police acted on the complaint and arrested the accused. The arrested persons were produced before a court and sent for judicial remand.

Investigation Continues

Police are also examining the circumstances surrounding the photographs and the alleged ritual, including how the accused came into contact with the person who reportedly conducted it.

The investigation will also focus on whether the accused had threatened the victim earlier and whether the alleged occult activity was part of a broader attempt to intimidate the family and influence the knife-attack case.

The incident came to light after local residents reportedly reached the Deori cremation ground on the night of August 7 and found four young men allegedly carrying out the ritual. One was caught at the spot, while the others escaped.

Police in Nagpur have registered a case after a 24‑year‑old woman, wife of an Indian Air Force officer, alleged she was raped, blackmailed and forced to undergo a religious conversion. Two men have been arrested and one cleric is absconding, officials said on Tuesday.

The woman, who works as a property dealer and whose husband is posted out of city, told police the main accused, identified as Ayaz Taj Madare — a schoolmate who contacted her in February 2025 saying he wanted to buy land — first lured her to a hotel on Wardha Road. She alleges she was given juice laced with an intoxicant, raped while unconscious, and filmed. The complainant says the recordings were later used to extort about ₹4 lakh and to coerce her into repeated sexual exploitation.

A video that circulated online is central to the probe. In the clip the woman is seen resisting and pleading, “Please leave me,” while an accused holds her hands and reportedly recites verses and blows on her face. Investigators said the footage appears to show an attempt to perform a religious ritual; the woman alleges she was pressured to say “Qubool Hai,” after which the accused purported to have conducted a nikah and pronounced a conversion.

Sonegaon police confirmed an FIR has been filed that lists charges including rape, repeated sexual exploitation, extortion, blackmail, forced religious conversion and offences under Maharashtra’s law against superstition and black magic. Electronic devices seized from the accused are being forensically examined, a police official said. Two suspects linked to the case are in custody; a cleric from Chhindwara named in the complaint is reported to be absconding.

The victim informed her husband about the ordeal on June 12 after he returned from duty, police said. Following the complaint, investigators began questioning witnesses and are tracing the sequence of events, including locations mentioned by the woman, alleged payments and communications between the accused and the victim.

Police reiterated that forensic analysis of the seized gadgets and medical reports will guide next steps. “We are following leads and will take legal action based on evidence. The investigation is ongoing,” a senior Nagpur police officer said, declining further details because the matter involves sexual assault and an active probe.

Legal and social‑service officials said cases that mix sexual violence, blackmail and alleged forced religious conversion are complex and require coordinated handling — evidence collection, victim support, counselling and, where needed, protection. Activists urged prompt, sensitive investigation and protection for the survivor and her family.

The viral video has also sparked public outrage on social platforms, with demands for swift arrest and strict action. Officials cautioned against sharing unverified material and asked the public to allow police to complete the probe.

Further details, including the identities and remand status of the arrested men, will be released after formal procedures. Those with information related to the case have been asked to contact Sonegaon police.