Godman Held For Selling Fake Gems To Customers 

Hyderabad: A 50-year-old fake godman, Madiriki Babu Rao, was arrested on Monday for selling spurious diamonds to a customer. The accused, an astrologer, is a resident of Balkampet in SR Nagar. Interestingly, he carries many names including Manik Baasha, a character name from Rajinikanth’s movie to escape from the clutches of police.

The crime team of SR Nagar Police Station caught him at his house on a decoy operation when he was trying to sell fake gems to a customer. The officials seized 97 fake diamonds from his possession.

The accused buys cheap gems from the old city and sells to gullible customers at an exorbitant price. He also makes the customers believe in him by showing fake certificates to claim his authenticity.

The accused was arrested in 2015 for selling antique brass idol in the name of ‘panchaloha’ idols. The case is still pending in the court.