Self‑styled healer Chandrakant Panchal arrested in Ahmedabad for exploiting minor

Ahmedabad police detained Chandrakant Panchal, who presented himself as a spiritual healer, after receiving a complaint that he had manipulated a local family. According to the investigation, Pancham claimed the family’s young daughter was possessed by evil spirits and demanded costly rituals, thereby exploiting the child for personal gain.
The arrest was carried out at the suspect’s residence in the city’s western district, where authorities seized cash and ritual paraphernalia believed to have been used in the alleged scam. Police officials said the victim’s parents reported that they were coerced into paying for repeated ceremonies despite no medical or legal evidence of possession.
Investigators have booked Panchal under sections of the Indian Penal Code relating to cheating, criminal intimidation and child exploitation. The case is being forwarded to the district court for further legal action, and the police have warned the public against unqualified practitioners offering supernatural remedies.
No additional arrests have been reported, and the family has been offered counseling and legal assistance as the probe continues.