Three members of an interstate gang who disguised themselves as religious sadhus to hypnotise victims and steal jewellery were arrested on Monday. The accused would approach individuals under the guise of performing spiritual rituals and healing, convincing them to hand over their valuables. Using hypnosis as a tool, they tricked victims before fleeing with their jewellery.
Police seized two motorcycles used in the crimes, 48 pieces of jewellery, and Rs 12,500 in cash from the gang. Among those arrested was a man previously linked to a similar case in Rewari, carrying a Rs 5,000 bounty.
The case came to light when a woman reported to Sohna City police on April 7 that while walking on Baluda Road, two men dressed as devotees approached her. They persuaded her to give them her jewellery and sent her to collect leaves from nearby trees. When she returned, the men had disappeared.
The Crime Branch arrested one suspect, Khursheed from Meerut, UP, on April 15 in Udham Singh Nagar, Uttarakhand. He was produced in court and placed in six days’ police custody. Later, on April 20, two more suspects, Saifuddin and Shahzad, were arrested from the same region.
During questioning, Saifuddin admitted involvement in similar thefts in Rajasthan and Rewari and had a Rs 5,000 bounty on him for both. Khursheed and Shahzad confessed to a separate fraud in Mumbai. The trio revealed they hypnotised victims by impersonating godmen to steal valuables.
Further investigation showed Saifuddin faces three criminal cases in Uttarakhand, including assault, death threats, dacoity, and arms violations. Shahzad is also charged with assault and issuing threats, according to police officials.
