भूत रात के समय हर रोज कमरे में आता था और काम करके चला जाता था/

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“The Ghost in the Room”: How a Staged Haunting Exposed a Calculated Assault in Rural Rajasthan

Alwar District, Rajasthan — What began as whispers of a supernatural presence tormenting a young woman in a quiet village ended with the arrest of two men accused of orchestrating repeated sexual assaults under the cover of superstition. The case, unfolding in Barkheda village in Rajasthan’s Rajasthan, reveals a chilling conspiracy driven not by ghosts, but by betrayal, manipulation, and calculated abuse.

At the center of the case was Neha (name changed), a young married woman whose claims that a “ghost” visited her room at night were initially dismissed as imagination. But as the events unfolded, police uncovered a far more disturbing reality—one involving her father-in-law Mangat Ram and a trusted family friend, Mohar Singh.

A Modest Family in Barkheda

Barkheda is a small agrarian village in the Alwar district of Rajasthan. Among its residents was Mangat Ram, a middle-aged dairy owner who made a comfortable living selling milk. He lived with his only son Ravi and Ravi’s wife Neha, who had married into the family two years earlier.

Ravi, described by villagers as educated and hardworking, had been searching for stable employment. Eventually, with the help of his friend Mohar Singh—an employee at a private bank—Ravi secured a junior position at a bank nearly 200 kilometers away. The salary was modest, but it offered long-term potential.

Due to financial constraints, Ravi moved alone, leaving Neha behind in the family home with Mangat Ram.

The First “Incident”

According to Neha’s later testimony, the incidents began shortly after Ravi left for his new job. She told her husband and father-in-law that she felt frightened at night, claiming that something—or someone—entered her room in the dark.

Her concerns were brushed aside. Mangat Ram assured her that there were no spirits in the house. Ravi, over phone calls from his workplace, dismissed the idea as superstition.

But on the night of October 25, 2025, events took a terrifying turn.

After dinner, Mangat Ram brought milk into the house, asking Neha to warm it for both of them. Later that night, after drinking the milk and retiring to her room, Neha reportedly lost consciousness. When she awoke the next morning, her clothes were torn, and she was partially undressed.

Shocked and confused, she tried to make sense of what had happened. She initially suspected her father-in-law but hesitated to accuse him without proof. When she confronted him indirectly, Mangat Ram laughed off the possibility and suggested she had experienced a nightmare.

A Pattern Emerges

Over the following nights, the incidents continued. Each evening followed a similar pattern: milk was consumed, Neha went to bed, and she would awaken the next morning disoriented, her clothing disturbed.

Feeling isolated and disbelieved, Neha confided in her neighbor Kanta Devi, the wife of Mohar Singh. At first, Kanta dismissed the claims as imagination. But when she saw Neha’s torn clothing and distressed state, she began to reconsider.

Determined to uncover the truth, Neha asked Kanta to spend the night with her.

The Night of Revelation

One evening, Kanta came over to stay. As usual, Mangat Ram brought milk into the house. After dinner, the two women drank the milk and retired to Neha’s room.

Within an hour, both reportedly lost consciousness.

Later that night, according to police reports, an individual entered the house using a ladder placed against the wall. The intruder tied up both women and assaulted them while they were unconscious.

By morning, Kanta’s skepticism had vanished. She realized that whatever was happening was neither supernatural nor imagined.

The two women decided to report the matter to the police.

Police Intervention

At the local police station in Alwar district, they met Sub-Inspector Deepak Saxena. After hearing the account, he immediately dismissed the possibility of paranormal activity.

“This is not the work of spirits,” he reportedly told them. “Someone is entering your home.”

The police devised a plan. Without informing the suspects, plainclothes officers would surveil the house the following night.

That evening, events unfolded as before. Milk was consumed. Neha retired to her room. Police officers waited outside in concealed positions.

Near midnight, they observed a man approaching with a ladder. He scaled the house wall and entered through an opening.

Officers quickly followed.

Inside the room, they caught the intruder in the act. When they removed his face covering, they were stunned: the man was Mohar Singh—the same friend who had helped Ravi secure his job.

The Confession

Under interrogation, Mohar Singh reportedly confessed to a months-long conspiracy with Mangat Ram.

According to police statements, Mangat Ram would bring milk into the house each night after adding sedative substances. Once Neha consumed the drugged milk and lost consciousness, Mohar Singh would arrive under cover of darkness, using a ladder to avoid the main entrance.

The two men allegedly assaulted Neha repeatedly. On nights when Kanta was present, they assaulted both women.

Investigators later arrested Mangat Ram based on Mohar Singh’s confession and corroborating evidence.

Both men were charged under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code related to rape, criminal conspiracy, administering intoxicants, and trespassing.

Betrayal on Multiple Levels

The case stunned Barkheda village. Mohar Singh was considered a respectable bank employee. Mangat Ram, though known for questionable behavior, was still regarded as a family patriarch.

For Ravi, the betrayal was devastating. Not only had his trusted friend allegedly violated his wife, but his own father stood accused of facilitating the crimes.

Legal experts note that the use of sedatives significantly strengthens the prosecution’s case. Indian law treats sexual assault involving intoxication or incapacitation as an aggravated offense.

Moreover, conspiracy charges could result in severe penalties if proven in court.

The Role of Superstition

One of the most troubling aspects of the case was how easily the “ghost” narrative initially took hold.

In many rural communities across India, belief in supernatural forces remains deeply ingrained. Victims who describe unexplained events are sometimes dismissed as superstitious or unstable.

Criminologists suggest that the perpetrators deliberately exploited this cultural backdrop. By encouraging the idea of a “haunting,” they diverted suspicion away from themselves.

“Superstition can become a shield for criminals,” says a Jaipur-based sociologist who studies rural belief systems. “When communities prefer supernatural explanations over rational inquiry, it creates opportunities for exploitation.”

Women’s Vulnerability in Isolated Settings

The case also underscores the vulnerability of women living in extended family systems, particularly when separated from their husbands.

Neha’s isolation played a critical role. With Ravi working far away and her concerns dismissed, she lacked immediate support.

Kanta, too, found herself victimized after trying to help her neighbor.

Women’s rights advocates argue that the case highlights the need for stronger community awareness and quicker law enforcement intervention when allegations of assault arise—even if framed in unusual terms.

The Legal Road Ahead

Both Mohar Singh and Mangat Ram remain in judicial custody pending trial. Prosecutors are expected to rely heavily on forensic evidence, toxicology reports, and the recorded confession.

If convicted under India’s stringent sexual assault laws, the accused could face long-term imprisonment.

The court’s decision will likely serve as a precedent in addressing crimes disguised as supernatural phenomena.

A Community Confronts Reality

For Barkheda village, the revelation was sobering. What many dismissed as superstition turned out to be calculated criminality.

Neighbors who once laughed at the “ghost story” now speak in hushed tones about betrayal and shame.

Neha and Kanta are reportedly receiving counseling support. Ravi has returned home temporarily to support his wife.

The incident has prompted local authorities to conduct awareness programs about reporting crimes and recognizing signs of abuse.

Beyond the Headlines

This case is not merely about two arrests. It is about how manipulation, trust, and silence can combine to enable sustained abuse.

It also demonstrates the importance of believing victims—even when their accounts initially seem implausible.

Had police dismissed Neha’s claims outright, the assaults might have continued indefinitely.

Instead, careful investigation replaced superstition with evidence—and brought the truth into the light.

As the case proceeds through the courts of Rajasthan, one thing is certain: there was never a ghost in the room. Only human cruelty hiding behind darkness and disbelief.