THANE, Nov. 18 -- A 70-year-old woman was cheated of Rs.24.60 lakh under the pretext of performing rituals and making donations to a "godman". The police have registered a case against eight people and five were arrested from Ulhasnagar Camp 4 on Monday. The victim, Shakuntala Bulchand Ahuja, a retired employee of the Public Works Department (PWD), lives alone at Sai Meharwan Palace in Ulhasnagar. Police said that eight people exploited her loneliness and conspired to defraud her between January 2023 and November 11, 2025. According to the police, the fraud began when one of the accused, Karishma, took Rs.10 lakh from Ahuja under the pretext of buying a flat for her in 2023. When that did not happen, Ahuja demanded she return the money. However, Karishma convinced her that her money would be returned and the "obstacles" in her life removed if she made religious donations and participated in rituals conducted by a "godman". A hawan ritual was organised at the victim's residence on November 11, during which the accused asked her to donate 8 tolas gold, 10g of diamonds, and cash. Later, they allegedly gave her a prasad, laced with sedatives, and said it was from the godman. When Ahuja became unconscious, they stole her 20g gold bangle, said an officer. BR Darade, the investigating officer, "We have launched a search operation for the absconding members of the gang."...