Rachakonda Police Commissioner Mahesh M Bhagwat said that four ‘dhongi babas’ and three hawala operators from Sirohi district of Rajasthan have been arrested here for allegedly duping a trader of Rs 37.71 lakh.
Police said that the accused used to roam the areas in the guise of Baba/Sadhu in search of mentally challenged persons.
According to the police, the accused used to mislead people by telling ‘defects’ like Sarpadosh, Nagdosh, etc. They then used to collect money through hawala under the guise of performing secret rituals in the name of intimidating them about various dangers.
The accused were arrested based on the complaint of a 53-year-old businessman, he said.
In a statement, Rachakonda police said, the complainant got injured after falling from his motorcycle after losing his balance while returning to his home in November 2020. A snake had come in front of his vehicle due to which his balance was disturbed.
In December 2020, the two ‘dhongi babas’ reached the office where the complainant worked to beg for alms. When the accused asked him the reason for the injuries, he told about the incident.
The accused told the man that he had a snake defect and to get rid of it, he would have to worship it. The police said that the victim believed them and paid Rs 41 thousand.
The two performed puja at his house along with other ‘dhongi babas’ and extorted a total of Rs 37.71 lakh from them on the pretext of performing some rituals till February 2022, saying that their lives were in danger.
Police said the accused used to talk to the victim over phone and ask them to deposit cash with the hawala agents.
Police said that efforts are on to nab some more accused in connection with the case.
Source: navbharattimes.indiatimes.com
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