Another godman held in Odisha

The Bhubaneswar police on Monday arrested another controversial godman Surendra Mishra alias Sura Baba and his two sons for their illegal activities.

The trio had been picked up from the self-styled godman’s Trahi Achyuta ashram located in Balipatana area in the outskirts of the city here. Cases have been filed against them under various sections of the IPC (Indian Penal Code) and Arms Act. Two guns and a few ammunition were seized from the ashram during a police raid late on Sunday night.

Confirming his arrest, city police commissioner R K Sharma said further investigation on the godman and his two sons were on. The police have formed three teams for further investigation. An angry mob had attacked the Trahi Achyuta ashram and set it on fire on Sunday night alleging illegal activities inside the ashram and demanding arrest of the controversial Baba.

More than 15 vehicles parked inside the ashram premises had also been torched. 14 platoons of armed police had to be deployed in the area for maintenance of law and order. The ashram was also attacked by an angry mob on Monday. In fact, a pitched battle between the police and the locals were on after prohibitory order was promulgated in and around the ashram.