Roorkee/Haridwar: In a significant action against fraud committed in the name of religion, the Uttarakhand Police have arrested 11 fake godmen in Roorkee under ‘Operation Kaalnemi’, a special Abhiyaan aimed at curbing religious impersonation and deception. The arrests were carried out by the Civil Lines police station in Haridwar district, where the accused were found roaming in the guise of saints and ascetics, extracting money from unsuspecting citizens on the pretext of alms and so-called religious remedies.
According to the police, the accused had been exploiting religious sentiments for a prolonged period, targeting ordinary people particularly women and young individuals by offering false assurances of solutions to personal, domestic and mental problems. The police said the operation was not a routine drive but part of a broader strategy to dismantle organised fraud networks operating under religious cover.
The campaign is being conducted on the explicit directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has instructed police officials across all districts to identify and take strict legal action against individuals masquerading as saints to deceive people. The stated objective of the state government is to preserve the religious and cultural sanctity of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand and to prevent the misuse of Sanatan traditions by unscrupulous elements.
Organised fraud in the name of faith
Preliminary investigations revealed that the arrested individuals had arrived in Roorkee from multiple states, including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Uttarakhand, and had adopted the appearance of saints to gain public trust. They allegedly lured people by claiming to resolve issues related to planetary defects, family disputes, illnesses and employment prospects, often demanding large sums of money in return.
In several instances, the accused were also found aggressively soliciting money in the name of alms. Police officials clarified that the activity went far beyond casual begging and amounted to an organised and deliberate act of cheating, carefully designed to exploit faith and vulnerability.
Haridwar Senior Superintendent of Police Pramendra Dobal had earlier issued instructions to all station in-charges to maintain close surveillance on individuals misusing religious identity to mislead the public. Acting on specific inputs, the Civil Lines police conducted checks and detained the suspects, leading to the arrest of all 11 accused.
Details of the arrested accused
Those arrested include Ganesh (70), Naushad (47), Shravan alias Manga (57), Jitendra (55), Arvind (58), Sohel (45), Rohit (20), Pangnath (20), Kalamnath (25), Mukesh (25) and Chhotelal (25). Police officials said some of the accused were residing in local ashrams while projecting themselves as saints, while others were operating from public places and roadside locations on a temporary basis.
The police added that verification of their backgrounds and movements is ongoing to ascertain whether they are linked to larger networks or similar activities in other districts.
Strict action, campaign to continue
SP (Rural) Shekhar Chandra Suyal said that legal proceedings have been initiated against all the accused in accordance with the law. He emphasised that Operation Kaalnemi is not a one-time exercise, but a sustained drive aimed at sending a strong message against fraud, deception and hypocrisy in the name of religion.
He said the police will continue to identify and act against individuals who conceal their identities or misuse religious attire to cheat people. Such actions, he added, are essential to maintain public trust and social harmony in a state known for its spiritual significance.
Appeal to the public
The Uttarakhand Police have urged citizens to remain vigilant and to immediately inform the nearest police station or helpline if they notice any suspicious individuals posing as saints and pressuring people for money or favours. Officials stressed that public awareness and cooperation are critical to effectively curb such practices.
