Cuttack, Aug. 24: A public interest litigation has been filed at Orissa High Court seeking the identification of self-proclaimed spiritual leaders in the state.

This comes at the time of a raging scandal surrounding allegations of cheating, forgery, criminal intimidation and sexual abuse against Sarathi baba, a self-styled spiritual leader.

Identification of criminal elements in the garb of gurus is needed to safeguard the interest of common people and to stop the flourishing of such cheats and frauds in the state, because of the deep and strong influence they exert on gullible people, the petition stated.

Odisha Rationalist Society (ORS) filed the PIL, alleging that a study conducted by it had found "there are as many as 5,000 self-proclaimed spiritual leaders in the state" who are "exploiting the citizens in various forms."

"Taking advantage of the inaction as well as callousness of the state government, the so-called gurus are spreading their tentacles all across the state and cheating a huge number of innocent and ignorant people. They are exploiting them financially and emotionally," ORS secretary Debendra Sutar said in the petition.

The petition has sought the court's direction to the state government "to identify the self-proclaimed spiritual leaders, confiscate their ashrams and properties and take appropriate legal action against such shady characters along with their henchmen."

"These fake gurus are hand in glove with the political establishment, bureaucrats and local police and are misleading the common people for their personal gain. They are involved in various types of illegal and nefarious activities like grabbing government as well as private land and giving shelter to hardened criminals. They are amassing huge wealth and leading luxurious lives", the petition states.

The Sarathi baba case, which is being probed by the crime branch after his arrest at Barikul near Kendrapada is a typical example.

"Even young, educated and energetic persons are being trapped by these fraud spiritual leaders," the petition says.

The PIL assumes great significance since fake spiritual leaders not only harm the society at large and cheat people but also sully the image of many genuine spiritual leaders as well.

Lens on ashrams

In the wake of arrest of two criminals wanted by Bihar police from an ashram near Balakati on the city outskirts, the city police have decided to keep such religious establishments under surveillance.

On August 17, cops of the special task force of Bihar arrested two wanted criminals who had been staying in Bhubaneswar for more than one decade.

The duo hailing from Waini at Samastipur in Bihar was working in the ashram in Balakati.

The police said that the duo identified as Abhaya Kumar Saha, 48, and Manjit Saha, 39, has been on a run for more than one decade.

Police commissioner R.P. Sharma said that all police stations in the city have been asked to gather information regarding such ashrams.