Daughter-in-law accuses former MP Vinayak Raut, family of harassment

Addressing a press conference on Sunday, Girija Raut said she was subjected to harassment since she married Gitesh Raut, a corporator, in 2017. She said there were no sexual relations between her and her husband Gitesh till 2018, and she was repeatedly taken to black magic practitioners to resolve marital issues.

“I was taken to black magic practitioners. One of them performed rituals using a rooster, and another made dolls out of flour and pierced them with pins. My used clothes were given to black magic practitioners and my hair was plucked. I was given cow urine to drink, and turmeric powder and agarbatti powder to eat. They did all this to hide their son’s incapability to have physical relations,’’ said Girija. “I was traumatised by acts of the Raut family. Vinayak Raut stayed with his second wife and daughter in a flat, while we (Girija and Gitesh) stayed in a chawl,” she added.

Vinayak Raut denied the allegations.

“My daughter-in-law demanded ₹5 crore and a 3 BHK house with terrace and automatic car and ₹2 lakh per month. We didn’t accept it. Now she has given us a second notice under the Domestic Violence Act and demanded ₹5 lakh per month and one-time settlement of ₹10 crore. She has also asked for ₹2 crore as emotional distress and ₹50 lakh. She has taken our jewellery. We don’t accept her allegations. This is a subjudice matter. We have challenged the matter in Thane sessions court,’’ Raut said. He also said that the alleged black magic acts were done in the presence of Girija’s parents.