Hyderabad: Sorcerers and fake babas are ruling the roost in the city. Miracle healers, treasure hunters and even relationship advisers now have their ‘offices’ in Hyderabad.
Many are even using mainstream media to advertise their skills to attract clients and then there are ‘online babas’, who are cheating gullible victims through shady websites. Two babas arrested in Narayanguda recently were targeting traders and gullible women — promising to solve their problems.
A year ago, south zone police cracked down on black magicians. The police also arrested notorious exorcists Balabeer Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Sanjay Kumar, Beluri Srikanth and some others from various parts of old city. However, most of them are now out on bail. While the police cracked down on old city sorcerers many others have now set up offices in other parts of the city.
“At Liberty Plaza, two fake babas, Md. Aseef and Md. Thaher, opened their office two years ago. They attracted mainly women and businesspersons. When we arrested them, it was found that they would create false fears in the minds of victims to extort money,” said C. Sreenivas.
“When Jyothi visited them to find a way to solve the problems in her family, they told her that everybody in her family was going to die and asked her to deposit money to conduct some rituals in her house. She had to pawn her jewellery to pay them thousands after which they dumped her,” said Sreenivas.
The sorcerers also have offices in Secunderabad, Panjagutta, Basheer-bagh, and many other places on the city’s outskirts. Another group of babas solve problems through telephone conversations without disclosing their locations. The crooks, who keep changing their locations from the city to other states, ask clients to deposit money in specific bank accounts.
“They are actually giving out advertisements in leading English, Urdu, Telugu newspapers. They promise to help with problems like court cases, career issues, love affairs, infertility and family disputes. They also claim to be specialists in Maha Vashikaran,” said a police officer from the city’s central crime station.
There are also black magicians who maintain websites to attract customers. “Black magic and vashikaran are powerful tools of ancient astrology. The person who has expertise in both has the power to solve life problems,” claims a website run by sorcerer Ayush Sharma, who offers his services to all Hyderabad residents.
Fake babas, sorcerers go on extortion spree
Telangana lacks a strong law like the Maharashtra Preve-ntion and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and other Inhuman, Evil and Abhorrent Practices and Black Magic Act, 2013.
Most cases of sorcery in Hyderabad are booked under cheating, public nuisance etc. Another weak rule police included in the cases is the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Adver-tisements) Act, 1954. Most legal experts consider this outdated when it comes to sorcery.
“This law prohibits the advertising of drugs and remedies for causing miscarriage or preventing conception in women or for sexual pleasure, diagnosing or preventing any disease etc. However, when it comes to black magic practiced by sorcerers this Act cannot deliver justice,” said Gulam Rabbani, a human rights lawyer of the city.
The conviction rate under this law is very less in Hyderabad and other areas of Telangana state. Even if a fraudster is convicted in a case he will have to pay a penalty and face a maximum sentence of only six months imprisonment with or without fine on first conviction. In case of subsequent conviction the term may be go up to a year, experts say.
“The problem with Drugs and Magic Remedies Act is that it does not cover real offenses. Police generally try to substitute with IPC sections for cheating etc, which is not effective,” said another prominent lawyer.
Lawyers say the Black Magic Act of Maharashtra is more effective. If convicted at the minimum the culprit will have to face a sentence of six months or a maximum sentence of seven years, including a fine ranging from Rs 5,000 to Rs 50,000. The offences are non-bailable and cognizable.
“A strict law is needed in Telangana as many people are duped by sorcerers. In Maharashtra the new Act came into existence after widespread debate following the murder of rationalist Narendra Dabholkar. Sadly, there are no debates on fake babas and sorcerers in our state,” said Rabbani.
