NEW DELHI: Delhi Police has arrested a self-styled godman for allegedly killing three people, including a woman, by giving them poison-laced "ladoos" in the name of performing a ritual promising 'dhanvarsha' (sudden financial gain).
The accused has been Kamruddin alias Baba, presently operating a so-called tantric centre in Loni and Firozabad (UP).
During the investigation, it was revealed that the accused lured innocent persons on the pretext of providing Dhanvarsha (surprise money) through tantric rituals.
"He would gain the confidence of victims, mentally influence them, and administer poison mixed in laddoos to kill them and rob them of cash and valuables," police said.
The accused is a habitual offender and has been previously involved in two heinous criminal cases in UP and Rajasthan.
During the inspection of the vehicle of the victim in which bodies were found, liquor bottles, cold drink bottles, empty glasses, mobile phones, cash, helmets, jackets, Aadhaar cards, personal belongings and other documents were recovered.
The bodies were recovered on Sunday.
All three deceased had visited Loni, Ghaziabad (UP), one day before the incident. On the day of the incident, they again visited Loni and remained in contact with Kamruddin.
Technical evidence indicated that one additional person was present in the car while they were returning.
Further analysis established that the said person was Kamruddin, who boarded the vehicle in Loni and later abandoned it at the place of occurrence before the matter came to light, police said.
Kamruddin disclosed that about two months ago, the woman was introduced to him through Salim.
Subsequently, she introduced Shiv Naresh and Randhir. He convinced them to perform a “pooja” for “Dhanvarsha” and asked them to bring Rs 2 lakh in cash along with liquor and cold drinks.
He further disclosed that he prepared poison-mixed laddoos and accompanied them in their car.
During the journey, he administered liquor, cold drinks and poisoned laddoos to all three victims. After they turned unconscious, he took away the cash and fled from the vehicle.