Uttarakhand Police arrested 14 people, including a Bangladeshi national, in a major crackdown on ‘fake babas’ involved in fraudulent activities.

The operation came after several complaints from devotees who were allegedly cheated in the name of religious practices. According to police officials, these fake babas were running fraudulent spiritual centers, offering false promises of miracles, wealth, and health cures in exchange for money. Their activities not only deceived innocent people but also tarnished the image of genuine spiritual leaders.

Among the arrested individuals, a Bangladeshi national was found residing illegally in India and participating in the fraudulent activities. This has raised concerns over cross-border elements in religious fraud cases. Police sources confirmed that the accused were using fear and blind faith to manipulate followers, extracting large sums of money through fake rituals, black magic claims, and false assurances.

Authorities are tightening monitoring across Uttarakhand’s spiritual hubs, where a large number of devotees visit every year, making them easy targets for fraudsters. The crackdown reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding people’s faith and preventing criminal misuse of religion.

Investigations are still ongoing, and the police have not ruled out the possibility of more arrests in the coming days. Citizens are urged to stay alert and avoid falling into the trap of self-proclaimed babas making unrealistic promises.