Couple arrested in Adilabad for extorting ₹81,600 by exploiting man’s superstitious beliefs

A Maharashtra-based couple was arrested for allegedly extorting ₹81,600 from a person by exploiting his superstitious beliefs under the Mavala police station limits in Adilabad.

The accused were identified as Salim Syed, 40, and his wife, Syed Shama, 46, residents of Peth Bhag village in Sangli district of Maharashtra.

According to the police, the couple collected the money from the victim for ‘puja material’ and performed ‘rituals’ at his house recently, promising to ‘ward off’ trouble to his family. They later demanded another ₹1.32 lakh, claiming that ‘additional pujas’ were needed to avert a potential threat to the life of a family member allegedly due to ‘black magic’.