Blind faith in astrology made more than 100 people fall prey to the guiles of a conman.
The 42-year-old self-proclaimed astrologer, Nityananda Shetty alias Nityananda Poojari, allegedly cheated people to the tune of Rs50 lakh. He had also married six women, and abandoned them a few days after tying the nuptial knot, police said.
The alleged cheat targeted families of those children who were poor in studies. He won their confidence and pretended to perform poojas to help the students excel in their studies.
Nityananda fleeced the families, and when the poojas failed to bring the desired result, conned them into believing that more rituals were necessary.
He also ‘helped’ the families get loans from financiers ‘with black money.’ In return for the loan, he charged commission — cash as well as jewellery — from the families.
The ill-earned money was gambled away at games of cards as well as on horse racing.
Police said Nityananda also paid money to the families of his six brides. He had chosen his brides from Mangalore, Bangalore, Charmadi, and Kasargod in Kerala.
The police arrested the accused on a complaint by a resident of Chamrajpet, Madhusudhan. The complainant had lost Rs3.4 lakh to Nityananda. The amount was given as commission for a loan, which never materialised.
Madhusudhan reportedly told the police that Nityananda offered to perform Lakshmiswaramale pooja to overcome financial difficulties. He also promised to introduce businessmen with unaccounted money to the complainant.
Madhusudhan fell for the trap and handed over Rs3.4 lakh to the self-proclaimed astrologer, when they performed a vanishing act.
Inspector BG Ratnakar of Chamrajpet police said Nityananda was wanted by the police in Mangalore, Mysore, Chitradurga and several other places.
In Mangalore, he allegedly cheated a woman, Lalthishiya Manthero, saying he would help to double her money. Instead of receiving double the amount, the woman ended up losing what she had in hand.
Police said they had recovered Rs1.15 lakh in cash and gold jewellery worth Rs1.12 lakh from the accused.
