Former Shiv Sena (UBT) Member of Parliament Vinayak Raut, along with his wife Shamal, their son Gitesh Raut, and four other individuals, has been charged by the Kapurbawdi police in Thane following accusations made by his daughter-in-law. She claimed that she was misled into marriage, endured both physical and emotional abuse, and was coerced into participating in alleged black magic practices.
The First Information Report (FIR) was filed by 38-year-old Girija Raut, who married Gitesh Raut on December 3, 2017. Girija asserted that prior to their wedding, the Raut family falsely represented Gitesh as a property owner, boasting of several assets including a flat in an upscale Vakola complex and a bungalow, and promised her they would reside there post-marriage.
However, upon their marriage, Girija claimed she was taken to a slum area in Vakola. When her parents confronted the Raut family regarding this alleged deceit, they reportedly faced abuse and intimidation.
Girija further alleged that she was compelled to resign from her job and was made to work in her husband’s transport business, stripping her of financial autonomy. She recounted traveling with Gitesh across various locations in India and internationally, including countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Switzerland, Norway, Dubai, Kenya, and Thailand, where she faced repeated assaults, humiliation, and mental torment.
The FIR details that between 2018 and 2022, her husband and in-laws allegedly forced her to visit self-proclaimed spiritual leaders in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri, where she was made to partake in occult rituals, including the consumption of cow urine and ceremonies involving lemons and scissors.
In light of the complaint, authorities have initiated a case against Gitesh Raut, Vinayak Raut, Shamal Raut, and others purportedly involved in the rituals. The investigation is currently ongoing.
Vinayak Raut has denied the allegations, asserting that the complaint stems from a contentious divorce proceeding. He claimed that Girija had sought a financial settlement of Rs 5 crore, a three-bedroom flat, an automatic vehicle, and Rs 2 lakh in monthly maintenance during mediation, which the family did not accept.
“The claims against my family are entirely unfounded. We will provide our defense in court,” Raut stated, noting that the next hearing regarding the matrimonial dispute is set for July 23.
Raut also expressed skepticism regarding the timing of the FIR, highlighting that the alleged events occurred from 2018 to 2022 but were reported only in the current year. He mentioned that Girija had been living apart from his son for three years and subsequently raised her settlement request to Rs 12.60 crore, a three-bedroom flat, and Rs 5 lakh in monthly maintenance.
In response, Girija refuted claims of demanding money from the family. “My only wish was to enjoy a joyful married life with my husband and coexist peacefully with the family. Instead, I faced harassment and degradation,” she stated.
The police have not provided any comments on the situation, which remains under investigation.
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