In a major crackdown against religious fraud, Uttarakhand Police have arrested 11 fake godmen in Roorkee under ‘Operation Kaalnemi’, a special drive launched to curb cheating and impersonation in the name of religion. The action was taken by the Civil Lines police station in Haridwar district following clear directions from Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to protect the spiritual sanctity of Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
According to police officials, the accused were posing as saints and ascetics, roaming in religious attire and exploiting people’s faith to extract money. They allegedly targeted women, youth, and vulnerable individuals by offering fake remedies for family disputes, health problems, planetary doshas, mental stress, and job-related issues.
Fake Saints Running Organised Religious Fraud
Preliminary investigation revealed that the arrested individuals belonged to different states including Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, and Uttarakhand. By adopting the appearance of saints, they gained public trust and systematically cheated people by demanding money in the name of alms, blessings, and religious solutions.
Police clarified that this was not ordinary begging but an organised fraud racket, deliberately designed to misuse religious sentiments and deceive unsuspecting citizens.
Crackdown on CM Dhami’s Directions
The operation is being conducted on the explicit instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who has asked police across all districts to take strict action against those misusing Sanatan traditions for personal gain. The government aims to ensure that Uttarakhand’s religious identity is not tarnished by impostors and fraudsters.
Haridwar SSP Pramendra Dobal had earlier directed all station in-charges to keep close surveillance on suspicious individuals posing as saints. Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the Civil Lines police carried out verification drives, leading to the arrest of all 11 accused.
Names of the Arrested Accused
The arrested individuals have been identified as:
Ganesh (70)
Naushad (47)
Shravan alias Manga (57)
Jitendra (55)
Arvind (58)
Sohel (45)
Rohit (20)
Pangnath (20)
Kalamnath (25)
Mukesh (25)
Chhotelal (25)
Police said some of them were staying in local ashrams, while others were operating from public places and roadsides. Their backgrounds are being verified to determine links with larger networks.
‘Operation Kaalnemi Will Continue’
SP (Rural) Shekhar Chandra Suyal stated that legal proceedings have been initiated against all accused and emphasised that Operation Kaalnemi is an ongoing campaign, not a one-time action. He said the police will continue to take firm steps against those hiding behind religious identities to cheat people.
Police Appeal to Citizens
Uttarakhand Police have appealed to the public to stay alert and immediately report any suspicious individuals demanding money or favours in the name of religion. Officials stressed that public cooperation is crucial to stop such fraudulent activities and maintain social harmony in the state.
The Roorkee action is being seen as a strong message that misuse of faith for personal gain will not be tolerated in Devbhoomi Uttarakhand.
