Pune, 4th November 2025: A Pune based family has alleged that they were duped of nearly ₹14 crore by a group that claimed to channel the spirit of Shankar Maharaj and promised to cure their daughters’ illness. The victims have submitted a written complaint to Pune Police Commissioner Amitesh Kumar.
According to the complaint, the couple works in a private company and has two daughters suffering from medical conditions. One daughter has alopecia and faces severe hair loss.
The couple, who frequently attended devotional events, came into contact with a man named Deepak Janardan Khadke. After learning about their daughters’ health issues, Khadke introduced them to Vedika and Kunal Pandharpurkar.
The complainants stated that Vedika claimed to be the “daughter of Shankar Baba” and that the saint spoke through her. During a gathering arranged by Khadke, Vedika allegedly pretended to enter a trance and claimed that Shankar Maharaj would cure the daughters and resolve the family’s difficulties.
The accused reportedly told the couple to hand over all their money. Later, they were allegedly asked to sell their house abroad, farmland, and gold, and give the money for “treatment” and rituals. Vedika repeatedly acted as if possessed and said the child’s illness was serious and would take time to heal. The complainants said they obeyed these instructions out of fear and hope.
The couple stated that Vedika even instructed them to perform rituals at home using coconuts, betel nuts, and stones. She later insisted they sell their Pune residence as a “final step.”
Over three years, the family claims to have transferred ₹13–14 crore to the accused. When their daughters’ health did not improve, they realized they had been deceived and approached the police.
In their letter, they said the accused misled them with false claims of divine possession to gain trust, forcing them to dispose of their properties and deposit the money into accounts controlled by the group. Police have begun probe after the complaint.
