Pandharpur Fraud Case: Spiritual Guru Arrested for Deceiving Devotees

In a disturbing case from Pandharpur, Nanna Virkar, known as Gurumauali, has been arrested for allegedly defrauding devotees of significant amounts of money under the pretense of black magic. This incident follows a similar case in Solapur where another self-proclaimed guru was apprehended for fraudulent activities. Victims reported that Virkar promised wealth through magical rituals, exploiting their faith. The police acted swiftly, raiding his ashram and arresting him and his brother. Charges have been filed under anti-superstition laws and for financial fraud, highlighting the ongoing issue of spiritual scams in the region.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 9, 2026, 16:37 IST

Pandharpur Fraud Case

In a shocking incident, Nanna Virkar, also known as Gurumauali, has been accused of defrauding devotees of large sums of money in Pandharpur, allegedly under the guise of black magic and spiritual practices. Following these allegations, the accused has been apprehended.

Recent Developments in Solapur

Just days ago, a case emerged in Solapur district involving a scam where individuals were promised life-changing fortunes and business profits. In that instance, the police arrested Manohar Bhosale, who claimed to be a spiritual guru. Before that case could settle, another incident surfaced in Solapur involving financial fraud and black magic, leading to a complaint against Nanna Virkar from Adegaon in the Mardha taluka at the Tembhurni police station.

Details of the Fraud

Reports indicate that Nanna Virkar ensnared numerous victims through his deceptive practices. Yashwant Jadhav and Nilesh Bhoite from Pandharpur lodged a complaint at the Tembhurni police station, alleging that Virkar sold a tortoise for three lakh rupees, promising a 'rain of money.' Furthermore, he claimed to perform various magical rituals and religious remedies to attract wealth, exploiting the faith of his followers.

Operating Without Fear

According to the complainants, the accused exhibited no fear in his dealings. He boasted about his connections with influential figures, including claiming that a local politician, Tejaswini Satpute, was his devotee. He even threatened that no one could harm him, leveraging the names of senior police officials and politicians to conduct his illicit activities openly.

Police Action and Arrest

Upon receiving the complaint, the Tembhurni police swiftly conducted a raid at the ashram early in the morning. At the time, Nanna Virkar was found sleeping alongside his brother. Both were arrested, and charges have been filed against them under the Maharashtra Anti-Superstition and Black Magic Act, as well as for financial fraud.