'Kissing Baba' arrested in Andhra

Hyderabad, Dec 26: The "kissing baba", a fake godman who was hugging and kissing women devotees to treat their illness and solve other problems, has been arrested in Andhra Pradesh, police said Friday.

He was Thursday arrested in Proddatur town of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh.

Police produced him before a court, which sent him to judicial custody for two weeks. The court also referred him to a mental hospital as he appears to have unsound mind.

Police said they also arrested Subba Reddy who was popularizing the fake saint among the people in the district. He used to tell people that the baba can remove their affliction and solve financial and domestic problems.

The bogus godman was operating for last two months from a room behind Ayyappa temple in the town. Many issueless couples were also approaching him.

Police swung into action after some television channels beamed shocking visuals of the man kissing and hugging women devotees. He used to give only a lemon to men but misbehave with women.

Police have appealed to people not fall into the trap of such fake godmen.

IANS