A man identified as Abul Razzak, who falsely claimed to be a ‘Paigambar’ (messenger of God), has been arrested in Baramulla for allegedly deceiving people, particularly Muslim women, by promising them a direct path to heaven. The self-proclaimed spiritual leader is accused of running a fraudulent religious setup under the guise of a Peer Baba, exploiting faith for personal gain.
According to reports, Abul Razzak had built a mysterious black structure on his land, deliberately designed to resemble the Kaaba in Mecca. Exploiting religious sentiments, he convinced locals that he was a reincarnation of the revered Sufi saint Noordin Noorani and possessed divine powers. His primary followers were Muslim women, who were drawn to his fabricated claims of spiritual guidance and miraculous interventions.
Locals revealed that Razzak had declared his black structure a sacred place and distributed ‘Tabeez’ (amulets) to his followers, claiming they carried healing powers. He also assured the community that his structure was a “Mecca for the poor,” meant for Muslims who could not afford the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. He alleged that Allah had commanded him to construct the Kaaba’s replica in Baramulla, which he had already begun building.
Investigations have further uncovered that Razzak regularly indulged in smoking charas and ganja (cannabis products) inside the black structure, misleading his followers under the pretence of religious rituals. Witnesses claim that he often held ‘spiritual sessions’ where he manipulated and deceived vulnerable women seeking his guidance. Reports also suggest that his wife had abandoned him, possibly due to his erratic behaviour and drug addiction.
His fraudulent activities came under scrutiny when local journalists, disguised as his followers, approached him to investigate his operations. They uncovered his elaborate deception and recorded evidence of his claims regarding the duplicate Kaaba. A video of their findings went viral on social media, triggering widespread outrage among locals.
Following the video’s circulation, a large crowd gathered at Razzak’s so-called religious site, condemning his deception. The mob, infuriated by his actions, attacked the black structure and set it on fire, calling for strict action against him. The local police intervened and arrested Abdul Razzak, preventing further violence.
Religious leaders and Islamic scholars in Kashmir have strongly denounced Razzak’s activities. Prominent Maulanas (Islamic clerics) have declared that his actions were un-Islamic, emphasising that Islam does not permit the construction of a counterfeit Kaaba. They have warned against following self-proclaimed ‘messiahs’ who exploit faith for personal benefits.
While some individuals in the area have suggested that Razzak might be suffering from mental illness, authorities are yet to determine whether his actions were a result of psychological issues or a well-planned scam to manipulate people. The police have taken him into custody and are conducting a thorough investigation into the extent of his fraud and any potential accomplices.
