In a dramatic operation that reads like a script from a crime thriller, Sundargarh police have arrested five members of an inter-state fraud gang who disguised themselves as powerful ‘babas’ from a mystical Siddha Peeth to loot a local family of gold ornaments worth several lakhs of rupees.
The accused, all residents of Aurangabad district in Bihar, arrived at Gobardhan Oram’s house in Lankaguda village under Sundargarh Sadar police station limits, dressed in saffron robes and carrying ritual paraphernalia. They claimed to have foreseen an impending curse that threatened the husband’s life and the family’s well-being.
Exploiting the couple’s fears, the self-styled godmen convinced them to hand over gold ornaments for “special purification rituals” to ward off the evil. Once they had the valuables in their possession, the gang vanished, leaving the shocked family to realise they had been cleverly duped.
Swift Police Action Brings Quick Justice
Alerted by the victim’s complaint, Sundargarh police swung into action with remarkable speed. Within days, investigators tracked down and arrested all five accused. During the raid, authorities recovered the stolen gold jewellery along with several brass idols, metal artefacts used in the fake rituals, and seven mobile phones believed to be used in coordinating the scam.
Speaking to the media, Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Nirmal Kumar Mohapatra urged citizens to stay alert against such organised gangs that are increasingly active in the region.
“These fraudsters prey on superstition and fear. We appeal to the public not to panic or hand over valuables to strangers claiming divine powers. Always verify and inform the police immediately,” said SDPO Mohapatra.
Rising Trend of Ritual Frauds
Police sources indicate that similar gangs operating under the guise of spiritual healers have been targeting rural and tribal areas across Odisha and neighbouring states. The use of psychological manipulation—warning victims of death, financial ruin, or family curses—has proven alarmingly effective on vulnerable families.
This latest arrest serves as both a warning and a reassurance that law enforcement agencies are cracking down hard on such opportunistic criminals. Authorities have appealed to people who may have fallen victim to similar scams in the past to come forward and report incidents.
The five arrested individuals have been booked under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating, criminal conspiracy, and theft. Further investigation is underway to determine if the gang was involved in other similar cases across the state.
