A man has been booked for allegedly raping a minor girl in the name of exorcism in Kerala’s Kollam district, police said on Monday (February 9, 2026).
Accused Murari, a local sorcerer, has been on the run since the attack came to light on Sunday and a manhunt is on to nab him, they said.
The incident took place at Vendar under Puthur police station limits.
According to the police, the girl and her mother had earlier visited Murari seeking some astrological advice. He somehow convinced them that all their problems were caused by an evil spirit that possessed the girl’s body. He also assured them that he could help them get rid of it through exorcism.
Following his instructions, the girl and mother again came to his house in Vendar on Sunday for the ritual he had prescribed. The defendant asked the mother to wait outside the room and leave the girl alone inside. After some time, the girl came out and told her mother about the assault she had suffered.
After learning about the incident, local people protested outside the house of the accused, but he managed to flee from the spot amid the fight, police added.
Murari has been booked under various sections of the BNS including section 64 (rape), 74 (assault or criminal force), 75 (1) and 76 (sexual harassment) etc. and the POCSO Act, the police added.
Published – 09 Feb 2026 14:24 IST
