Pune, 16th June 2026: Kondhwa Police have registered a case against a faith healer and seven others for allegedly claiming to cure serious and incurable illnesses through prayers and water distributed at a prayer hall.
The action was taken under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act.
The case was filed following a complaint by a 32-year-old woman activist associated with Andhashraddha Mukti Mission. According to the complaint, the incident took place at a prayer hall in Shivneri Nagar, Kondhwa. The accused have been identified as Kenneth Paul Silve, a resident of Queenstown in Chinchwad, along with seven to eight associates.
According to police, the complainant and her friend visited the prayer hall on Sunday to verify information about alleged superstition-related practices. More than 300 people, including women, men and children, were present at the venue. Volunteers reportedly collected ₹20 from visitors, asked them to fill out forms, and distributed bottles of water.
During the gathering, Kenneth Paul Silve allegedly told attendees that drinking the water and participating in prayers could cure diseases such as cancer, tumours and other serious illnesses. Police said these claims were made without any scientific basis and were aimed at influencing people through superstition.
The complainant and her friend began recording the proceedings on their mobile phones. However, volunteers at the venue allegedly objected to the filming, pushed the two women and forcibly deleted video clips from their phones. Following the incident, the activists approached Kondhwa Police and lodged a complaint.
A case has been registered and further investigation is being carried out by Police Inspector Prashant Mandale.