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Indian police question 'god man' after arsenal found

He was arrested earlier in the week on sedition and murder charges.

By Ed Adamczyk
Baba Rampal Maharaj (Website of Jagat Guru Rampalji)
Baba Rampal Maharaj (Website of Jagat Guru Rampalji)

NEW DELHI, Nov. 21 (UPI) -- New Delhi, India, police began questioning Baba Rampal Maharaj, a self-styled "god man" after his compound was raided and a cache of weapons was found.

Maharaj, 63, who claims to be the reincarnation of the 15th century mystic and poet Kabir and who barricaded himself, with 15,000 followers, on his 12-acre compound near the city of Barwala, was arrested earlier this week.

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Police used a bulldozer to demolish a wall to enter the estate, as Maharaj's followers stood atop the wall and pelted them with stones. Six of the leader's adherents were found dead, of undetermined causes, after the compound was stormed. Hundreds were injured and over 400 were arrested.

He was charged with sedition and murder, alleged offenses dating to 2006. The murder charges are based on complaints by family members of the deceased, female residents of the compound, Anil Kumar Rao, police inspector general, said. Rao added searches of Maharaj's estate turned up a large arsenal of weapons, including homemade guns and explosives. Critics regard Marahaj, a civil engineer, as a fraud whose career as a "god man" has included the gathering of riches at the expense of his adherents, as well as the murder charges. He is one of many gurus, or spiritual advisers, in India, who preach virtues; many are successful entrepreneurs who conduct meditation camps and sell books and video products.

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Many cultivate friendships with political leaders, who use adherents to mobilize voters and attract donations from wealthy supporters. A number of "god men" have been enmeshed in scandals after charges of sexual abuse, money laundering and tax evasion.

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