Archive · 10 Sep 2026
Nashik Fake Godman Held Over Alleged ₹11 Lakh Fraud
Police in Abhona, near Nashik, arrested an alleged fake godman and his helpers.
They are accused of telling a Mumbai family that magic could make money appear.
The family reportedly gave them about ₹11 lakh.
The suspects allegedly promised to turn ₹1 lakh into ₹1 crore.
The money did not appear, so the family complained to authorities.
An FIR was later registered at Abhona Police Station.
Activists say many similar cases have been reported recently.
Police are checking the money transfers, rituals and possible involvement of other people.
Alleged fake godman Hirachand Barde and his associates were taken into custody in Abhona, near Nashik.
A Mumbai-based family allegedly paid the suspects around ₹11 lakh after being promised money through black magic and occult rituals.
The family was reportedly told that ₹1 lakh could be turned into ₹1 crore, but the promised money never appeared.
An FIR was registered at Abhona Police Station after activists and Dr Gorane pursued police action over the past week.
Activists say the case is the 93rd registered in five-and-a-half months following the Ashok Kharat case, with 14 cases recorded in Nashik.
- Who
- Alleged fake godman Hirachand Barde, his associates and a Mumbai-based family are central to the case; activists and police also pursued the complaint.
- What
- Barde and his associates allegedly cheated the family of around ₹11 lakh by promising to create money through black magic and occult rituals.
- When
- The FIR was registered late at night after the matter was pursued over the previous week; the exact date is not stated.
- Where
- Abhona, about 70 km from Nashik, at Abhona Police Station.
- Why
- The suspects allegedly used claims of supernatural powers and miraculous money multiplication to obtain money from the family.
- Alleged loss
- Around ₹11 lakh
- Reported promise
- Turning ₹1 lakh into ₹1 crore
- Location
- Abhona, around 70 km from Nashik
- Number of recent cases
- 93 cases in five-and-a-half months, according to activists
- Nashik cases
- 14, the highest number among the cases cited by activists
- Investigation focus
- Financial transactions, alleged rituals and the roles of other possible suspects
- Police action
- An FIR was registered and the alleged godman and associates were taken into custody