Bengaluru: A self-styled godman, popularly projected as a “baba,” has come under the scanner of the Central Crime Branch (CCB) for allegedly cheating a woman from Andhra Pradesh of Rs 2.5 crore by exploiting her emotional distress through claims of black magic, evil spirits and promises of miraculous financial returns. The accused allegedly convinced the woman that special rituals were required to remove “negative forces” from her family before inducing her to part with crores of rupees.
The complainant, Kumuda, originally hails from Andhra Pradesh and has been residing in Bengaluru’s Chamarajpet. According to the complaint, she was devastated after her son died in a motorcycle accident. Taking advantage of her vulnerable state, the accused allegedly convinced her that the tragedy had not been accidental but was the result of evil spirits and black magic affecting her family.
Police said Kumuda had initially come into contact with two intermediaries, identified as Shankar and Bharat, while exploring the possibility of raising a loan against her property. The duo allegedly introduced her to Afsar Pasha, describing him as a powerful spiritual healer and miracle-working baba capable of removing evil forces through elaborate rituals.
Investigators said the fake baba first demanded money to conduct special poojas and rituals, assuring the woman that these ceremonies would eliminate the alleged curse hanging over her family. Believing his claims, the woman reportedly paid around Rs 8 lakh for the rituals.
The alleged fraud, however, did not end there. After gaining her confidence, the accused allegedly spun an even bigger story. They reportedly claimed that funds amounting to Rs 500 crore were expected to be released from the Reserve Bank of India and that they urgently needed temporary financial assistance to access the money.
According to the complaint, the fake baba and his associates promised Kumuda that if she arranged ₹2.5 crore, they would return Rs 10 crore after receiving the larger amount. They allegedly assured her that the investment would multiply several times within a short period.
Convinced by the repeated assurances and believing the accused’s claims of divine powers, the woman reportedly sold her house in Chamarajpet for around Rs 8.5 crore. From the sale proceeds, she allegedly handed over Rs 2.5 crore to the accused.
Police said the woman later began demanding the promised amount after months passed without any repayment. Instead of returning the money, the accused allegedly kept postponing payment on one pretext or another.
When she persistently sought the return of her money, the accused allegedly threatened her with serious consequences, including threats to her life, according to the complaint. Realising that she had been deceived, Kumuda approached the police seeking legal action against those involved.
Based on her complaint, the Central Crime Branch has registered an FIR against Apsar Pasha, who allegedly posed as a baba, and his associates Shankar and Bharat. The case has been booked under relevant provisions relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation and conspiracy. Officers have begun examining financial transactions, bank records, property sale documents and other evidence to establish the money trail.
Investigators are also probing whether the accused targeted other vulnerable individuals using similar claims of black magic, evil spirits, miracle cures and promises of huge financial returns. Police suspect more victims may have fallen prey to the alleged racket and are verifying whether the accused operated a wider network.
Officials are questioning the role of the intermediaries who allegedly introduced the victim to the fake baba and facilitated the financial transactions. They are also verifying whether the accused used the money to acquire assets or diverted it through multiple bank accounts.
