There is nothing like the baba business – low start-up cost, minimal investment, and you don’t even have to have to shave in the morning! These babas thought they were invincible until the law caught up with them.

1. Sant Rampal

Indiatoday

After causing mayhem, "Sant" Rampal is finally in jail. Treason is the latest charge to be added to his already long list of sins which include murder.

Superpowers: Claims to be the successor to mystic saint Kabir, and his followers even believe he is Kabir reborn. There is a reason his followers are willing to literally die for him – he has brainwashed them into believing that a guru can never be criticized.

2. Asaram Bapu

decchan chronicle

Asaram Bapu claims to be influenced by Bhakti yoga, Gnana yoga and Karma yoga - but isn’t seen doing yoga as much as a baba should. He has been arrested for a case of sexual assault against a minor.

Superpowers:

His ashram has developed medicine from cow urine!

He cleared a potency test – at the age of 73.

His site has a ‘divine experience’ section, but many of the experiences have been submitted from fake email addresses. It also mentions solving “Monthly Periodic Problems of Women” with “Vedic Mantra Power”.

3. Swami Nithyananda

newscommando

He founded and managed the Nithyananda Dhyanapeetam ashram, until he was arrested for charges of raping his female followers.

Superpowers

Claims to be able to levitate his followers.

Can perform “praana pratishtha “– making a physical idol of a person/god able to answer prayers and grant boons.

4. Chandraswami

loymachedo

Chandrawami is best known for being the spiritual adviser of erstwhile Prime Minister Narasimha Rao. He was arrested for swindling $100,000 from a London businessman, and was charged Rs. 9 crore for violating the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. He was also held responsible for involvement in the murder of Rajiv Gandhi.

Superpowers:

Tantric, godman, and astrologer, Chandraswami claimed to read minds and cast spells.

5. Swami Sadachari

jagran

Spiritual advisor and tantric for leading politicians of his day (including Indira Gandhi), Swami Sadachari was arrested for running a brothel.

Superpowers:

He claimed that he could light branches with simply the energy of his eyes. However, this was debunked by famous rationalist Sanal Edamaruku in 1985, when Sanal demonstrated the same trick by using chemicals discretely placed under branches.

6. Swami Premananda

Swami Premananda’s resemblance with Sathya Sai Baba could be the reason behind his popularity, and he set up ashrams across 15 countries. He was found guilty of raping 13 girls and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences.

Superpowers:

Along with producing “vibhuti” (sacred ashes) just like Sai Baba, he also produced “lingams” (the representation of Lord Shiva) from his abdomen.

7. Shreemurath Dwivedi

openthemagazine

Better known as Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale, he was your generic breed of godmen. But he was arrested for running a prostitution racket from his ashram.

Superpowers:

Called himself an Ichchadhari Baba – one that can morph into a serpent at will.