Mumbai:
A self-proclaimed astrologer has been arrested for allegedly molesting a woman, who had consulted him to predict correct lottery numbers, police said today.
Bipin Babulal Vyas (57) has been arrested and remanded in police custody till December 27, they said.
According to police, the 45-year-old complainant and her family members, residents of Borivali, had plans to buy a big house but they had no financial resources.
"The family then started buying lottery tickets so that they could win some money and fulfil their dreams of a bigger house," Bhagwan Chate, Senior Inspector at Borivali police station.
In August, the victim came across an advertisement in which Vyas portrayed self as a powerful astrologer and she met him in his office at SV Road in Borivali, police said.
"Vyas promised that he would predict correct lottery numbers and charged her Rs 11,000 for the service. However, his claims proved to be untrue after the results were declared. He then asked for an additional sum of Rs. 500 and assured her that she would win the lottery the next time," said Chate.
When his predictions failed second time too, she demanded her money back and Vyas gave her a cheque which bounced.
"She went to his office yesterday and told him that the cheque had bounced and demanded her money back. Pretending to console her, Vyas molested her. The victim raised an alarm when people gathered there. Vyas was brought to police station after which he was arrested," Chate said.
Probe is on to find out if Vyas had duped others in a similar way, police said.