Self-styled ‘godman’ arrested for possession of endangered wildlife

In a joint operation, a city-based NGO and officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday arrested a 45-year-old self-styled godman for allegedly selling monitor lizard genitals, claiming to resolve the problems of their clients through magical powers to control their partner.

The accused has been identified as Dakshina Murthy. Investigators said he was also involved in the illegal sale of soft coral and other wildlife articles, operating his business through social media platforms.

Members of CARE, an NGO involved in animal rescue and rehabilitation, approached the DRI officials after receiving specific information that the accused had been running an online racket for several years, selling monitor lizard genitals at ₹10,000 a piece. The accused also allegedly sold soft coral to clients, claiming it could bring good fortune and luck, sources said.

As part of the operation, one of the NGO members posed as a prospective client online and later visited the accused house in Nagashettyhalli, following which the information was passed on to the officials.

During the raid, the officials recovered 206 monitor lizard genitals, 1.5 kg of soft coral, a tiger skin, and other materials allegedly used to perform rituals, which were also uploaded as videos on his social media accounts. The seized articles have been handed over to the Forest Department officials for further analysis.

The sources said the accused had around 25,000 followers across the country, with many clients approaching him for issues related to love failure and personal problems.

The investigators revealed that the accused sourced the wildlife articles through contacts in Tamil Nadu and other regions.

The accused has been booked under various sections of the Wildlife (Protection) Act and has been taken into custody for further investigation.

Incidents of educated people approaching such quacks for psychic healing and resolving their problem through “divine interventions” are on the rise.

In November last year, the Jnana Bharathi police arrested a quack and his associate for allegedly cheated a city-based software engineer of ₹48 lakh by promising a cure for his sexual health issues, and later threatening him when he refused to pay more.