The Bombay High Court has upheld the life imprisonment sentence of Mehandi Kasim Jenul Abidin Shaikh, known as ‘Bengali Baba’. Convicted by the sessions court in 2016, Shaikh was found guilty of the sexual exploitation of seven girls, including six minors, under the guise of spiritual healing, alongside defrauding their mothers of over ₹1.37 crore.
Also Read- Lilavati Hospital Trustees Face Contempt Charges, Bombay High Court Issues Notices (lawchakra.in)
The case has highlighted the disturbing exploitation of blind faith by self-proclaimed spiritual figures.
“The appellant, a tantric/baba, on the pretext of curing the victim girls, sexually exploited them. It is an unfortunate reality of our times, that people, at times knock on the doors of so-called tantrics/babas, for a solution to their problems and that these so-called tantrics/babas, take advantage of the vulnerability and blind faith of these people and exploit them,”
the Court observed. This statement reflects a critical view of the misuse of religious and spiritual authority to exploit the vulnerable.
The court further noted the tragic manipulation of the victims’ families, stating,
“It is extremely unfortunate that 7 young girls, 6 minors and 1 maid were sexually exploited by the appellant, as the 6 minor girls’ mothers feared that the girls would beget intellectually challenged boys. The appellant took full advantage of the apprehension of the victims’ mothers and by manipulating their fears, assured to cure the girls and in the process, also financially exploited them.”
This observation sheds light on the sinister methods employed by Shaikh to exploit the fears and vulnerabilities of the families involved.
In delivering its verdict, the Court emphasized the severity of the crimes committed:
“The facts are gross, and the girls too many, and as such the sentence must be commensurate with the acts committed,”
concluding the judgment with a firm dismissal of the appeal. This statement underscores the Court’s stance on ensuring that the punishment reflects the gravity of the offenses.
The High Court’s remarks also touched on the broader societal issue of blind faith leading to tragic exploitation:
“This is one such bizarre case of blind faith. It is extremely unfortunate that seven young girls – six minors and the maid – were sexually exploited by the appellant, as the mothers of the minors feared that the girls would beget intellectually challenged boys. The appellant took full advantage of the apprehension of the victims’ mothers and by manipulating their fears, assured to cure the girls and in the process, also financially exploited them.”
This reflection by the High Court serves as a cautionary tale against the dangers of unexamined faith in self-proclaimed spiritual leaders.
The ruling by the Bombay High Court in upholding the life term sentence for Mehandi Kasim Jenul Abidin Shaikh is a significant moment in the Indian judiciary’s efforts to combat sexual exploitation and abuse, particularly under the guise of spiritual healing. It not only brings justice to the victims and their families but also sends a strong message against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals by those in positions of perceived spiritual authority.
The case of ‘Bengali Baba’ has become a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and protective measures for children and the importance of a robust legal framework to bring perpetrators to justice. As the community reflects on this tragic case, the hope is that such rulings will contribute to a safer environment for all children and a more skeptical view of unchecked spiritual claims.
