In a significant breakthrough, police in Azamgarh district have arrested an inter-district fraudster who allegedly deceived multiple women by posing as a priest or sadhu to conduct fake religious rituals. The arrest followed a dramatic encounter where the accused opened fire at the police team.
The Encounter and Arrest
Acting on a specific tip-off, a police team from the Nizamabad police station area swung into action. Additional Superintendent of Police (City) Madhuvan Kumar Singh stated that Nizamabad Station Officer Hirendra Pratap Singh received information that the accused, identified as Krishna Murari Mishra alias Pintu, was waiting near the Badagaon canal bridge to sell stolen jewellery.
When the police team reached the spot and asked him to surrender, Mishra allegedly fired at them. The police retaliated in self-defence, and a bullet hit Mishra in the leg, leading to his apprehension. He was immediately taken to CHC Rani Ki Sarai for medical treatment.
Modus Operandi of the Fraud
During interrogation, Mishra confessed to his elaborate scheme. He would target rural areas, introducing himself as a spiritual figure to gain entry into homes. By preying on fears and superstitions, he would win the trust of women, warning them of impending misfortune or defects that needed urgent rectification through special worship.
In the name of performing these rituals, he would ask the women to hand over their valuable gold jewellery. He would then pretend to chant mantras over the items and, seizing the first opportunity, would flee with the ornaments. Police reported that on December 18, he fraudulently took jewellery, including two earrings and a mangalsutra, from women at Mahendra Maurya's house in Badhariya village under the Nizamabad police station area.
Recoveries and Legal Action
The police have made substantial recoveries from the accused. The seized items include:
- Gold jewellery worth approximately ₹1.25 lakh.
- ₹25,000 in cash.
- Illegal weapons.
- A motorcycle used in the crimes.
An FIR under section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered against Mishra, a resident of Sonari in the Gaurabadshahpur police station area of Jaunpur district. Investigations revealed that after committing the frauds, Mishra would sell the stolen jewellery for money and frequently change his location to evade police capture.
This arrest highlights a disturbing trend of criminals exploiting religious faith to commit serious crimes and underscores the vigilance of local police in tackling such inter-district offenders.
