A self-styled godman pretending to be an avatar of Lord Krishna was arrested by the Pimpri police for cheating a man, who was seeking divine intervention to his marital problems

A self-styled godman pretending to be an avatar of Lord Krishna was arrested by the Pimpri police for cheating a man, who was seeking divine intervention to his marital problems.

Self-styled godman Deepak Sirumal Motwani alias Parasmant Swami Gyandeepak was nabbed on charges of cheating a youth from Pimpri.

The man had approached Motwani after he got divorced from his wife, and was having issues with her. The parents said that despite their many pleas to the man to stay clear from Motwani, he kept returning to the godman, as he claimed he was an avatar of Lord Krishna.

The youth started attending his sermons and was completely influenced by him. Afraid of the influence Motwani was wielding over their son, the parents filed a complaint under the recently passed Anti-Superstition Act and Section 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property) of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the Pimpri police, where the case was registered, Motwani, a resident of Pimpri Camp, has allegedly duped many citizens in the past. Cops said that earlier, he was a vegetable and cloth vendor.

However, later, he came up with the scheme and also began delivering sermons to people at his home. "He would draw in people with the promise of prosperity and peace in life and would often tell people 'Arzi meri, marzi uski'," said an officer from the Pimpri police.

Confirming the arrest, Inspector B B Mudiraj said, "Motwani has been charged with the relevant sections of the recently passed anti-superstition act and Section 420 of the IPC."