Surat: A family’s search for relief from a relative’s cancer treatment ended in a costly fraud after two strangers allegedly exploited their faith. Claiming the illness was caused by ‘pitru dosh’, the men convinced the family to perform a ritual at home. While family members chanted mantras, the duo allegedly escaped with Rs 1.55 lakh in cash and jewellery.The family lives in a housing society in the Laskana area. The head of the family runs a paan shop on the ground floor of the house, while his three sons, their wives and children live on the upper floor. The sons are associated with the diamond industry. The eldest son has been undergoing treatment for cancer for the past two months.Police said the two men visited the paan shop on June 15 and struck up a conversation with the family head. During the discussion, they claimed to have experience in treating people suffering from serious illnesses and offered to help.They were taken upstairs, where they met the eldest son. After seeing him, the two allegedly claimed that the family was afflicted by ‘pitru dosh’ and blamed the illness on it. They assured the family that a special ritual would cure the problem.The accused then asked the family to arrange gold ornaments, rice, vermilion (kanku), tulsi leaves, an idol of a goddess and other ritual items. After conducting the ceremony, they allegedly demanded Rs 1,100 and another Rs 5,100 for rituals and prasad. They also asked for an old shirt.Police said the accused placed the cash, gold ornaments and ritual items inside the shirt, tied it into a bundle and kept it in the home temple. They then asked family members to chant some mantras. While the family was engaged in the ritual, the two men allegedly fled with the bundle containing cash and jewellery.The patient’s wife later approached Laskana police and lodged a complaint alleging cheating of Rs 1.55 lakh. Police are scanning CCTV footage and gathering other evidence to identify and trace the accused.
