Pune Pastor Booked Under Anti-Superstition Act Over Alleged Claims Of Curing Cancer Through Prayer
Pune Pastor Booked Under Anti-Superstition Act Over Alleged Claims Of Curing Cancer Through Prayer
Pune, June 17, 2026: Kondhwa Police have registered a case against a pastor and several associates under the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act for allegedly claiming that prayers could cure serious illnesses, including cancer and tumours.
The case was registered following a complaint filed by Bhagyashree Suryakant Mohite (32), a resident of Yerawada and a member of the anti-superstition organization Andhashraddha Nirmulan Mission. Based on her complaint, police have booked Pastor Kenneth Paul Silve, a resident of Bijlinagar Road in Chinchwad, along with seven to eight associates.
According to police, the alleged incident took place on June 14 at around 1.30 p.m. at the Jesus Is Lord Church in Shivneri Nagar, Kondhwa, where an estimated 300 to 400 people had gathered.
Mohite stated in her complaint that she had come across videos on a YouTube channel associated with the pastor, where claims were allegedly made about curing incurable diseases through prayer. To verify these claims, she and her friend visited the church gathering.
Upon arrival, volunteers allegedly asked attendees to fill out forms and offered small plastic bottles for ₹20, claiming that the liquid inside could cure illnesses if mixed with water and consumed or applied to affected parts of the body, including lumps and tumours.
During the event, the pastor allegedly instructed participants to place their hands on the affected areas of their bodies and stated that divine intervention could cure ailments such as cancer and tumours. He also reportedly shared testimonies of individuals recovering from illnesses after prayer.
The complainant further alleged that when she began recording the proceedings on her mobile phone, several women volunteers intervened, stopped her from filming and deleted the videos recorded on her device.
After receiving information about the matter, Senior Police Inspector Santosh Khetmalas visited the church premises. Police subsequently registered an offence under the provisions of the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act.
Officials said further investigation is underway to verify the allegations and determine the role of those involved.
