The Cyberabad police have arrested four persons involved in a bizarre attention diversion and cheating racket where victims were tricked into believing their money would multiply if ‘cash barish’ ritual was performed.
The incident occured in the early hours of October 18, at Gandimaisamma X Road, Mahaveer Complex, and was reported three days later. Following the complaint, special teams from the crime unit and CCS, Medchal, began attempts to trace the accused. On October 26 evening, police apprehended Mohammad Irfan (44), Gugoloth Ravindhar (40), Kavira Sai Baba (41), and Thakur Manohar Singh (39), at Gandimaisamma.
According to Medchal ACP Shankar Reddy, the gang’s modus operandi involved luring victims into participating in a fake ‘Barish Pooja’. “They claimed that by performing the ritual and keeping a certain amount of cash during it, the money would multiply several times. During the so-called ceremony, the accused offered the victim sweets and badam milk laced with intoxicants, causing the person to lose consciousness. The gang would then flee with the victim’s money,” explained the officer.
. Another accused, Abdul Kayyoom, believed to be the mastermind, acting as a ‘guru’ and a native of Uttar Pradesh, remains absconding.
Mohammad Irfan was found carrying ₹8.5 lakh in cash, a country-made weapon, and a knife, leading police to invoke sections of the Arms Act as well. He has a criminal history, including cases registered in Uppal and Nizamabad.
Published – October 27, 2025 05:59 pm IST
