Fake baba arrested after dramatic chase

The Mumbai police arrested one 48year-old pir-fakir or tantric, who robbed a Malad-based man of Rs. 2 lakh cash and 5 tolas gold on pretext of performing black magic to improve his financial condition. The tantric Abdul Gaffar Shaikh, resident of Kalyan, was arrested from Kherwadi in Bandra (East) after dramatic chase on February 12.

It was the matter of July 2016 when Shaikh called the victim Kunder Murugan (45) and convinced him that his financial condition will be improved if he performs black magic at his house. Murugan, who runs a small business of hair clip in Malad West, was not doing well in his business, and so he blindly believed in Shaikh.

“Shaikh had gathered all the information about Murugan before calling him. Murugan thought that he is a powerful tantric and there will be rain of money once the black magic is performed under his guidance,” said an officer from Malad police station.

On phone call, Shaikh listed few materials including Rs. 2 lakh cash and 5 tolas gold required to perform the black magic.

“Murugan told the tantric that he does not have that much cash and gold for the black magic. On this, the tantric suggested him to borrow the cash and gold from his friends, else the black magic will not be successful,” the officer added.

Murugan borrowed money and gold from one of his friends. When the tantric was assured that Murugan has arranged the cash and gold, he came to his house in Malad (West) in order to perform the black magic.

Shaikh told Murugan that first he will perform havana to purify the surrounding. Murugan went unconscious after inhaling the smoke of Havana. When Murugan gained his senses, Shaikh had decamped with the gold and cash kept nearby for the black magic and his mobile number was reachable. Murugan told everything to his friends and asked them to contact him if they get any such call from tantric.

Fortunately, one of his friends Ashish, who reside in Bandra (East), received an anonymous call early this month and the caller told him to perform the same black magic. Immediately, Ashish informed Murugan and they planned to catch the caller once he arrives.

In order to perform the same black magic, the caller - donning lose kurta and black beret on his head and equipped with a broom came to Bandra where Murugan was also present. He identified the caller as Shaikh and told his friends to catch him. But Shaikh pushed everyone away and fled from the spot.

Meanwhile, Shaikh also gave police officials a slip and got inside a running BEST bus which was going towards Kherwadi.

However, the bus stopped at Kherwadi traffic signal from where Shaikh was arrested and later was handed over to Malad police.

Mumbai police have recovered various paraphernalia which Shaikh was carrying in his bag.

Shaikh, who is in police custody, has been booked for cheating and other charges under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code.