Indore's 'Beggar-Free' Mission Reveals Shocking Truth About Street Beggar
Indore's ambitious "Beggar-free Indore" campaign aimed to rehabilitate destitute individuals from the city's streets. However, the initiative recently exposed a startling case that has left officials and citizens stunned. The mission uncovered a man who had been accumulating crores of rupees while presenting himself as a helpless beggar.
The Familiar Face in Sarafa Bazaar
Physically disabled Mangilal has been a well-known figure in Indore's landmark Sarafa Bazaar neighborhood for many years. He never engaged in overt begging. Instead, he would sit quietly in corners or move around wearing a backpack, using his hands inside shoes to push his sliding iron cart with ball-bearing wheels.
Moved by his apparent plight, passers-by regularly pressed cash or coins into his palm. His daily collection typically ranged between Rs 500 and Rs 1,000. This scene, common across many Indian cities, masked a completely different reality.
The Truth Emerges During Rehabilitation
When a rescue team from Madhya Pradesh's women and child development department recently picked up Mangilal for rehabilitation, the truth began to surface. During discussions with nodal officer Dinesh Mishra, Mangilal revealed his substantial assets and business operations.
Mangilal disclosed ownership of multiple properties:
- A three-storey house in Bhagat Singh Nagar
- A 600 square foot home in Shiv Nagar
- A one-bedroom flat in Alwasa received through the Red Cross Society under the PMAY scheme based on his disability status
His vehicle portfolio includes:
- Three auto-rickshaws that he rents out
- A Swift Dzire car with a personal driver on his payroll
The Hidden Money-Lending Operation
Beyond his property and vehicle assets, Mangilal operates a high-interest money-lending business focused on small jewellery businesses in Sarafa Bazaar. He uses the "alms" he collects daily to fund this operation, collecting daily or weekly interest from borrowers.
"He has given us an idea of how much money he has, but we are still to arrive at the exact figure. We are probing all his sources of income and properties in his name," stated nodal officer Dinesh Mishra.
Official Investigation and Legal Action
Officials have compiled a comprehensive list of Mangilal's bank accounts and cash holdings for verification. He will be produced before the district collector to answer for obtaining a PMAY house despite owning substantial property.
District programme officer Rajnish Sinha confirmed that Mangilal owns what he described as "significant property." Sinha added, "He is also involved in usury, which is a crime. Action will be taken against those who promote begging."
Mangilal currently resides in the Alwasa flat with his parents, while his two brothers live separately.
Background of Indore's Anti-Begging Campaign
The campaign to remove beggars from Indore's streets began in February 2024. Various agencies involved in this exercise have identified approximately 6,500 beggars in just about two years. They have successfully counseled 4,500 individuals into working for a living through state-run initiatives.
Around 1,600 "rescued" beggars have been shifted to an ashram in Ujjain for rehabilitation. The programme has also facilitated the enrollment of 172 children in schools, providing them with educational opportunities they previously lacked.
This case has raised important questions about the implementation of social welfare schemes and the need for thorough verification processes. It highlights how individuals might exploit systems designed to help genuinely needy citizens.
