Fortuneteller held for ‘petty crimes’ in city

Helping criminals foretell a successful heist was his forte, but he failed to see his own future, or predict the day, date and time of his arrest. HT reports.

Helping criminals foretell a successful heist was his forte, but he failed to see his own future, or predict the day, date and time of his arrest.

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The west Delhi police, on Thursday, arrested a 21-year-old self-styled fortuneteller, who was supposedly the “official astrologer” for hordes of criminals as he advised them on the crimes they planned to commit.

According to the police, he was able to build his own gang of snatchers because of his proximity to these criminals.

“Om Prakash, a self-styled astrologer was arrested in the case, along with his associate Arjun (21) from Bali Nagar area. Prakash’s followers called him ‘Guruji’,” said V Renganathan, deputy commissioner of police (west). The duo were involved in at least 30 snatching cases in the area.

The police said that during interrogation, Prakash told them he was an illiterate, and belonged to a poor family. “He predicted a few things for his friends and neighbours that came true. After that, he became famous in the area and people came to him for astrological advice,” Renganathan said.

Prakash's life, said the police, took a turn when criminals of the area came to him. “He started earning good amount as the criminals used to donate a handsome share to him. He coordinated with the criminals and organised a new gang of his own,” the DCP said.