How a gang of fake sadhus cheated Bhongir man of Rs. 37L
The gang used to go around Bhongir disguised as sadhus. They told people they had ill luck, performed poojas, and collected huge amounts. They also threatened people.
By Newsmeter Network Published on 5 July 2022 2:42 PM GMT
Hyderabad: An interstate gang of fake sadhus who was cheating and threatening people with black magic and collecting huge amounts through hawala was arrested in Bhongir.
Seven gang members were arrested. They have been identified as Ramnath, Jonnath, Govindnath, Arjun Nath, Punaram, Vasna Ram, and Prakash Jota. Three others – Sanjunath, Gorakhnath, Prakash Prajapathi, and Ramesh Prajapathi – are absconding.
The police seized from them cash Rs. 8.30 lakhs, 12 cell phones, a money counting machine, and several other items like rudraksha malas and kamandalams.
A case has been registered against them under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Drugs and Magic Remedies Act.
The gang used to go around Bhongir disguised as sadhus. They told people they had ill luck, performed poojas, and collected huge amounts. They also threatened people.
Modus operandi of the gang
On 29 November 2020, Kondal Reddy (53) of Ramakrishnapuram village in Yadadri Bhuvanagiri was returning home from his fields on his bicycle when he saw a snake. He lost his balance and fell down, sustaining injuries.
The same year, on 6 December, Kondal was in his office when two men, Sanjunath and Ghorakhnath, came to collect money (bhiksha). They inquired about his injuries and Kondal told them of the incident. Sanjunath and Ghorakhnath told the man he had "sarpa dosha" and he would have to do pooja to get rid of it. The man believed them and paid Rs. 41,000 for the pooja.
Later, Sanjunath, Ghorakhnath Ramnath, Jonnath, Govindnath, and Arjunnath visited Kondal's house, performed the pooja, and collected Rs. 41,000. However, even after that they continued to put pressure on Kondal and collected Rs. 37.71 lakhs till February 2022.
The gang used to call Kondal and ask him to deposit cash through hawala agents Punaram, Vasnaram, Prakash Jota, Prakash Prajapathi, and Ramesh Prajapathi who in turn transferred the money to Sanjunath and his associates.
