Kanpur Dehat: 'Botal Baba' arrested for harassing woman and attempt to murder

Botal Baba in police net

The Kanpur Dehat police have successfully arrested the notorious Hariom Maharaj, widely known as 'Botal Baba', along with his accomplice Deepak Yadav. The accused was absconding following serious allegations of molesting a woman and attempting to kill her when she resisted his advances. This arrest has caused a stir across the region where people flocked to him for supernatural cures.

The modus operandi of the fake godman

Operating from the Haridham Ashram in the Devrahat area of Kanpur Dehat, Hariom Maharaj had created a massive network based on superstition. He claimed to possess divine powers and promised to cure severe illnesses using a unique method:

• He would blow air into an empty glass bottle.
• He claimed this act generated a 'miracle medicine' inside the bottle.
• Hundreds of women visited the ashram daily, falling prey to his claims.

Serious charges and the escape

The facade of the self-proclaimed miracle man crumbled when a victim finally exposed his reality. According to the police report, the incident unfolded as follows:

• The victim accused Hariom Maharaj of attempting to molest her while she was alone in the ashram.
• When she protested and tried to raise an alarm, the baba and his staff turned violent.
• The baba and his associates attempted to murder the woman to silence her, leading to a charge of Attempt to Murder.

Following the crime, the 'Botal Baba' had fled the area with his aides. Police teams conducted continuous raids at various locations based on technical inputs and intelligence reports to track him down.

Legal action underway

After a prolonged search, the police finally cornered and arrested Hariom Maharaj and his key associate Deepak Yadav. The authorities are now presenting both accused before the court to initiate the formal process of sending them to jail. The investigation into the Haridham Ashram case is ongoing.