Self-proclaimed godman, acolytes arrested for cheating people to the tune of crores

BALLARI: A self-proclaimed godman and his acolytes have been arrested for cheating hundreds of people of Kallahalli tanda in Hosapete taluk to the tune of crores of rupees after promising ten times the returns on their investments.

The godman, Jitendra Singh, hailing from Rajasthan, was introduced to well-off people of Kallahalli tanda by Tukya Nayak and Shankar Nayak. Later, they got together and convinced people that if they invest Rs 1 lakh, they would get Rs 10 lakh in return.

After receiving the money, the godman would conduct puja in the house at night and send the occupants out. They would then keep a bundle containing sand, vibhuti (sacred ash) and insence sticks and tell the people to open it only after 160 days, promising them that their money would grow ten times.

On September 7, one Kumar Nayak visited the house of Raja Nayak for the puja and got suspicious. Upon opening the bundles, agarbatti, three towels and some other items were found. He then lodged a complaint following which the con game came to light. He then immediately informed the Hosapete Rural police.

The police arrested Jitendra from Chitradurga, and Tukya Nayak and Shankar Nayak off Kallahalli and recovered Rs 35 lakh in cash and a currency note counting machine from them. The gang is also accused of cheating people in Chitradurga, Gagag, Koppal, Vijayanagar, Ballari and surrounding place.

Vijayanagar Police Superintendent Srihari Babu said the racket of the conmen is wide and they are investigating how many people have been cheated. More people may come forward to lodge complaints and a final figure will be known only after the investigation is complete, he said.