A 71-year-old man who claims himself as a shaman has been accused of raping a woman suffering from cancer under the pretext of healing her.

Subba Tharu of Baidi of Barbardiya municipality-10, Bardiya who is locally known as Guruwa (shaman) has been charged with raping the 43-year-old cancer patient frequently since the past 10 months by visiting her home under the pretext of curing her illness using his 'magical powers'. As told by the victim, the accused telephoned her before visiting her first time and claimed that he was able to cure her disease through his 'magic' if she agreed to have sexual intercourse with him. Upon trusting him, the woman allowed him visit her home and endured his serial rapes in the hope of getting relieved from her chronic illness.

As the woman said, she finally decided to break the silence as the physical, psychological and mental pains caused by sexual misconducts from the man became intolerable for her.

The woman on November 2 lodged a complaint against the shaman at the Area Police Office, Bansgadhi and he was arrested by the police same day. Further investigations into the case are going on. Police Inspector Basanta Gautam confirmed the arrest of Tharu on the charge of raping the woman multiple times. RSS