Pune Woman Duped Of Rs 2.80 Cr By Self-Styled Baba Over 'Special Rituals' At Ayodhya's Hanumangarhi Temple

Jagran correspondent, Ayodhya | A case of fraud involving Rs 2.80 crore emerged in the holy city, Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, in which a Pune-based woman was allegedly duped by a self-styled baba on the pretext of offering special worship at the iconic Hanumangarhi temple. The development comes amid a SIT probe into alleged theft of offerings from the Ram temple in the city.

Police Initiate Action On Woman's Complaint

Ayodhya police filed a case and launched a probe into the woman's allegations. According to the complainant, she was duped by a false promise of a 'special ritual' to draw fortune. Police are investigating the transactions, jewellery donation, and other facts related to the allegations.

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Who Are The Accused?

The victim, Laxmi Kama, named Baba Vivekananda Maharaj, his disciple Suraj, and driver Ratnakar in a case filed at the Ramjanmabhoomi police station.

Kama alleged that the so-called baba took her into confidence in the name of astrology and special blessings of Lord Hanuman to protect her from troubles and draw fortune. She claimed that the accused took around Rs 2 crore in cash and jewellery worth Rs 80 lakh from her on different occasions in the name of organising special puja. She also claimed that she had donated a silver crown for Hanuman temple.

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Police are also investigating whether the accused have similarly defrauded anyone else in the name of same special puja.

Ayodhya Ram temple Donation Theft

Meanwhile, the special investigation team probing the alleged embezzlement of donations at the Ram temple in Ayodhya identified 105 instances of unauthorised removal or concealment of currency from the temple's counting room. The SIT report pointed out that CCTV footage from the counting room at the temple's Pilgrim Facility Centre (PFC) and other digital data "revealed 105 instances of unauthorised currency removal or concealment from the counting room, involving assistance from other individuals participating in the counting process".

The report said eight accused have been identified and gave a "tabulated summary of the unexplained deposits in their accounts and information about the immovable and movable assets where the stolen money was invested."  

(With Rama Sharan Awasthi/PTI Inputs)