Nuzvid DSP K.V.V.N.V. Prasad presenting the accused before the media, in Eluru district on Monday.
The Eluru district police arrested a man on charges of duping several families by masquerading as a godman, in Nuzvid.
The accused, identified as T. Balaiah, allegedly approached several families and warned them that tough times would befall them unless they performed several ‘pujas’. He then took large sums of money from them on the pretext of warding off evil spirits, according to the police. However, he then vanished without a trace with the money, with no pujas being performed.
Based on complaints lodged by some of the victims, Superintendent of Police K. Pratap Shiva Kishore formed special teams headed by Nuzvid Deputy Superintendent of Police K.V.V.N.V. Prasad to arrest Balaiah.
In December 2024, Balaiah had visited a family in Arugolanupeta village of Chatrai mandal in the district. The accused allegedly told them that a recent death in the family was due to the result of witchcraft. Balaiah told them that pujas should be performed at the Kanaka Durga temple in Vijayawada to prevent similar deaths, and reportedly collected ₹61,000 from the family. The family did not hear from him ever since, they said in their complaint.
In another case, the accused visited a family in Pothureddypalli village of Nuzvid Rural mandal a few months ago. He said the ‘horoscope’ of one of the family members was bad, and offered to fix it by performing ‘Shanti Pujas’ at Sammakka Saralamma temple and allegedly took ₹26,400 from them before disappearing.
Police arrested the accused on Monday, and recovered ₹80,000 cash and a two-wheeler from his possession. The SP cautioned the public to be wary of conmen.
Published – January 28, 2025 08:11 am IST
