The story of Kishore Chauhan who raped his two daughters with the consent of his wife Anjana on the advice of astrologer-cum-tantrik Hasmukh Rathod is one of the most shocking stories that have come to light in the recent past.

Kishore, a Mumbai-based businessman who had a housekeeping contract for cleaning the airport, lost his contract nine years ago when it was not renewed. He visited the tantrik at the behest of his wife who had been brainwashed by the astrologer even before her marriage.

Hasmukh advised Kishore to set up a manufacturing unit for radium number plates. When that too flopped, the tantrik who was offering petty black magic remedies suggested that Ki shorerape his elder daughter to ensure prosperity in his business. The ordeal continued for all of nine years as the father raped his elder daughter.

After nine years of following Hasmukh’s advice, when things did not work out, Kishore approached the tantrik again three months ago. This time, the tantrik adviced Kishore to rape his younger daughter. Hasmukh is also alleged to have forced himself on the girl(s) in front of their parents.

Unable to see her younger sister going through the humiliation and trauma that she had been undergoing for nine years, the elder sister revealed the story to their maternal grandmother in order to save her younger sister. Thereafter, their maternal uncle, Vijay Parmar, filed a police complaint against his sister, her husband and the tantrik. Kishore, Anjana and Hasmukh have since been arrested.

It is shocking to note that such incidents take place in the twenty-first century. How can the parents do this to their own children? What kind of sick minds are we living with? Have we lost our common sense and conscience that we are ready to be part of such black deeds?

This may not be the only case that Hasmukh may be involved in. He might have ruined many more lives to satiate his lust. That needs to be investigated. All those who are guilty must be subjected to the kind of punishment that would be rigorous enough to effectively deter the repetition of this crime in the future.

We also need to take a serious look at our archaic laws which do not deal with incest. Comprehensive legislation on incest is imperative to address this crime.

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