Self-proclaimed 'spiritual guru' of PM Modi arrested for impersonation
A 33-year-old Kathak teacher, who sometimes passed himself off as the "spiritual guru" of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been arrested by the Delhi Police for allegedly impersonating an official of the Union culture ministry. The accused, Pulkit Mishra, who often referred to himself as Pulkit Maharaj, would impersonate officials for seeking undue favors when visiting different parts of India. Here are the details.
Mishra would use fake letters to pose as an official
Mishra's modus operandi, apart from claiming to be PM Modi's spiritual guru, involved the use of fake letterheads of different ministries. Using these fake letters, Mishra would seek security and government accommodation when visiting different states. What's more? He even posed as the director of a culture ministry office once. However, the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) soon saw through the farce.
How the PMO caught scent of Mishra's underhand ways
Mishra's demise began when the district magistrate of Sitapur received a letter signed by a secretary of the culture ministry seeking security and accommodation for Mishra and his disciples for their visit to an old temple. While the request was granted, the district collector suspected foul play and sent the letter to the PMO for verification. The PMO found it to be fake.
Mishra's April trip to Sitapur would become his undoing
"The fax [to Sitapur administration] allegedly introduced Mishra as the secretary of "sanskriti mantralaya", but there is no such ministry. Moreover, Mishra's details did not contain his batch number or other specific details. The fax was also sent from non-governmental phone number," said the police.
Mishra is being interrogated about fake letter printing
Consequently, last month, the PMO filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, following which an FIR was registered. Meanwhile, investigations have revealed that Mishra's sister, Parul, would pose as his secretary and send out the fake letters. Police say they are currently interrogating Mishra to find out how and where he got fake ministry letterheads printed.
What Mishra's claims are
Meanwhile, Mishra claimed that he had performed for Modi when the latter was the CM of Gujarat. Impressed, Modi had allegedly invited Mishra to stay at his house for two days. Mishra also claimed that he had been conferred a special award called 'Bharat Gaurav' by the President in 2000, and was given a directorial role at a culture ministry office two years ago.
Mishra has now been taken into police custody
Despite his claims, police say that Mishra, who runs a Kathak school in Shalimar Garden in Ghaziabad, has no relation with either the Prime Minister or the culture ministry. As it stands, Mishra has been taken into police custody for five days, and been charged with cheating and impersonation. Police are contemplating whether to arrest his sister and other disciples who accompanied him.
