Gonda: In a major breakthrough, Gonda Police have arrested the alleged mastermind of an organized fraud network accused of deceiving people in the name of religious rituals, spiritual healing and occult practices. The arrest was made by a joint team of Mankapur Police and the Special Operations Group (SOG)/Surveillance Unit, which also recovered ₹26.95 lakh in cash believed to be proceeds from the sale of stolen jewellery.
The accused, identified as Shafiq Ali alias Bade Pujari, a resident of Meerut district, was arrested from a road leading to Harsinghwa village on the Bandarha route. Police said the cash was recovered from a blue backpack found in his possession.
According to Superintendent of Police Vineet Jaiswal, the arrest is linked to multiple fraud cases registered in Gonda and Bahraich districts. Investigators allege that the accused led a gang that targeted families by posing as spiritual healers and promising solutions to personal, financial and family problems through special religious ceremonies.
Victims Allegedly Trapped Through Rituals
The investigation began after a complaint was filed by a Mankapur resident who claimed he contacted a self-styled spiritual advisor after reading a promotional pamphlet distributed with a newspaper. The complainant alleged that he and his family were persuaded to conduct an extended religious ritual at their home for peace and prosperity.
Police said the accused allegedly instructed the family to place gold and silver ornaments in a container as part of the ceremony and advised them not to open the designated room until the ritual was completed. When the supposed priest stopped visiting and became unreachable, the family opened the room and discovered that the valuables had disappeared.
Five Associates Arrested Earlier
During the initial phase of the investigation, police arrested five alleged associates connected to the racket and recovered cash, jewellery, a vehicle with forged registration details and other materials believed to have been used in the crimes. Efforts had continued to locate the alleged kingpin, culminating in Friday’s arrest.
Gang Used Fear and Deception, Police Claim
During interrogation, the accused allegedly revealed that the group operated across several districts by distributing pamphlets advertising solutions to personal problems through rituals and occult practices. Police claim the gang would gain the trust of victims, persuade them to hand over valuables during ceremonies and then secretly remove the jewellery and cash.
Investigators further alleged that fear was used as a tool to manipulate victims. In some cases, gang members reportedly displayed snakes during rituals to create panic and distract families while valuables were taken away. Victims were then instructed not to open ritual containers for several days, giving the accused time to flee.
Police said the gang targeted individuals in parts of Gonda and Bahraich and allegedly sold stolen gold and silver ornaments in Nepal before using the proceeds for personal expenses.
Multiple Cases Linked to the Accused
The arrest is connected to several fraud cases registered at Mankapur, Kotwali Nagar and Dargah Sharif police stations. Authorities have initiated further legal proceedings and produced the accused before a court.
Senior police officials praised the coordinated efforts of the Mankapur Police, SOG and Surveillance teams, whose investigation led to the recovery and arrest.
Police said efforts are continuing to identify additional victims and determine whether the network was active in other districts as well.
