Pune Court Orders ₹57.59 Lakh Transfer to Victim in ₹14-Crore Black Magic Fraud Case
Pune Court Orders ₹57.59 Lakh Transfer to Victim in ₹14-Crore Black Magic Fraud Case
Five banks and an insurance company have been directed by a Pune court to release ₹57.59 lakh to Deepak Pundlikrao Dolas, whose family lost nearly ₹14 crore in a black magic scam involving a self-proclaimed spiritual healer and her associates. The order was passed on February 27, 2026, during the hearing of a criminal miscellaneous application filed by Dolas, and made public on March 2, 2026.
Dolas and his wife stated that the accused convinced them that spiritual rituals and occult practices could cure their two daughters’ serious health conditions. Believing these claims, the couple reportedly sold multiple properties, including their home in England, and transferred large sums of money over the years. Investigations indicate the family ultimately lost around ₹14 crore before realizing they had been cheated.
The Kothrud Police Station registered an FIR against Vedika Kunal Pandharpurkar, Kunal Vaijnath Pandharpurkar, and Deepak Janardan Khadke. Sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) apply, along with the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act, and the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act.
During the police investigation, several bank accounts, fixed deposits, and insurance policies linked to the accused and related companies such as Vinay P (OPC) Foods Pvt Ltd and Anvi Cybernetics were frozen. Total balances in these accounts were approximately ₹6.28 lakh, forming part of the funds now directed for transfer. Fixed deposits worth ₹41,05,544 in Vedika Pandharpurkar’s name and the surrender value of nine life insurance policies totaling ₹10,25,929 were also considered by the court.
Dolas filed an application requesting the defreezing of these accounts and the transfer of funds to his bank account. The accused submitted written statements stating no objection to the release of the money. Advocate Vijaysingh Thombare represented Dolas, while advocate Rahul Deshmukh represented the accused, with the additional public prosecutor representing the state. After hearing all parties, the court ordered the banks and insurance company to transfer the specified balances, including any applicable interest, to Dolas’ account.
