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Fake Godman Arrested After 33 Years on the Run
11 Oct
Summary
- A 58-year-old man, wanted for a 1993 robbery, was arrested.
- He posed as a spiritual leader with over a lakh Instagram followers.
- He was apprehended by police in Jhansi while operating a 'divya darbar'.
A 58-year-old man with a history of criminal activity, who was wanted in a 33-year-old robbery case, was arrested by police in Jhansi. The accused, identified as Pradeep Shukla, had allegedly evaded capture for decades by assuming the identity of a spiritual leader.
Shukla, originally from Hardoi, was wanted in a 1993 robbery case and also faced charges in an assault case. Warrants had been issued for his arrest after he failed to appear in court multiple times. He had allegedly fled Hardoi and settled in Jhansi, where he established himself as a godman named Satyanand Shukla, also known as Kali Sarkar.
He gained a significant following, reportedly amassing over one lakh followers on Instagram, and organized religious gatherings at his ashram in Kurencha village. Here, he claimed to offer solutions to various problems, including illnesses. Police intensified their search after receiving information about his whereabouts in Jhansi, leading to his arrest in a joint operation.
Following his arrest, Hardoi police took Shukla into custody and secured a transit remand. He had reportedly been seen wearing an army uniform while meeting his disciples.
