Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30: A mob ransacked the Trahi Achyuta ashram at Balakati on the city outskirts late this evening damaging property and torching around 30 vehicles in protest against the alleged frauds committed by self-styled spiritual guru Sura baba alias Surendra Mishra.

The incident comes close on the heels of the arrest of controversial spiritual leader Santosh Kumar Raula alias Sarathi baba and his adopted son Satyam Sekhar Raula alias Bubu.

The situation at the Balakati ashram turned violent this evening after hundreds of protesters clashed with the supporters of the baba, who is in his fifties, accusing him of cheating and land grab. The clashes took place in the presence of police, who were outnumbered by the mob.

Sura used to collect money by claiming to solve the problems of people through a reading of palm leaf manuscripts. He has been accused of having encroached on 1.29 acres of government land.

Eyewitnesses said that hundreds of people wielding batons and bamboo sticks stormed the ashram despite resistance from Sura's supporters of the self-proclaimed spiritual leader. Soon, the situation worsened and the protesters smashed furniture, glass doors and windowpanes, apart from a number of air-conditioners, at the sprawling ashram spread over 14.34 acres.

They also set fire to around 30 vehicles, including cars and vans belonging to the ashram. The protesters demanded the arrest of Sura and his son, who is into real estate business. The protesters also alleged that Sura was running a real estate business through his son and the ashram was just a front to hide this illegal activities.

They also claimed that only 2.76 acres of the total ashram area of 14.34 acres belonged to the trust managing the institution. Of the rest, 1.29 acres was encroached government land and the remaining portion was in Sura's name.

The ashram allegedly runs a lodging facility where visitors could stay without producing identity proof. This made it a safe haven for criminals.

The ashram came under police scanner following the arrest of two absconding criminals from Bihar on August 17. The two worked as drivers for the ashram.

Sources said that Abhaya Kumar Saha, 48, and Manjit Saha, 39, who were wanted in more than 40 criminal cases including murder, had been on the run for over 20 years.

Senior police officials, including police commissioner R.P. Sharma, reached the spot to take stock of the situation.