Shocking Revelation: IIT Graduate Posing as 'Sadhu' Arrested for Sexual Exploitation in Mathura

In a shocking case from Mathura, an IIT graduate posing as a 'sadhu' has been arrested for sexually assaulting and blackmailing women. The accused, Abhishek Mishra, allegedly used spiritual gatherings to lure educated women, administering drugs before exploiting them. The case came to light after a victim's sister filed a complaint, leading to a broader investigation revealing multiple victims. Authorities are now examining the extent of Mishra's activities and the potential for more victims. This disturbing incident raises serious concerns about safety and exploitation under the guise of spirituality.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jun 3, 2026, 12:06 IST

Arrest of a Fraudulent 'Sadhu' in Mathura

Mathura/Bhubaneswar: A disturbing incident of sexual abuse and extortion masquerading as spirituality has surfaced in the Govardhan region of Mathura. Authorities have detained a man impersonating a 'sadhu' who allegedly exploited educated women through online religious sessions and bhajan-kirtan gatherings, as reported by officials on Wednesday.

The suspect, a mechanical engineer by profession, is accused of enticing women to spiritual events, administering drugs, sexually assaulting them, and subsequently blackmailing them with compromising images and videos he recorded without their consent.

The situation came to light when the sister of one victim, who was living in a rented space under the jurisdiction of the Govardhan police, filed a formal complaint with Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Shlok Kumar.

The victim, a B.Sc. Nursing student from Chhattisgarh, had traveled to Mathura on May 15 to celebrate her birthday with her sister, who was interning at IOCL in the Radhakund area and renting a room from the accused.

Investigators revealed that the victim's sister met the suspect, identified as Abhishek Mishra, through a local bhajan-kirtan group. On the night of May 15, he allegedly offered the victim a glass of milk, claiming it was 'Prasad'.

After consuming the drink, the victim reportedly fell ill and lost consciousness. Police allege that the accused then assaulted her while she was incapacitated, threatening her life if she resisted.

Once she regained her composure, the victim returned to Chhattisgarh and confided in her mother about the ordeal. Initially, the family refrained from reporting the incident due to fear of social stigma.

The situation escalated when the accused contacted the victim via video call, demanding Rs 5 lakh and threatening to release her private images online if she did not comply.

After informing her father of the events, he took her back to Mathura to report the matter to the SSP. Following this, police registered a case at the Govardhan police station on May 25 and initiated an investigation.

As the inquiry unfolded, authorities discovered a pattern of similar offenses. Preliminary findings suggested that the accused had targeted multiple women using the same tactics. Police reached out to the families of other potential victims for further information.

The suspect, Abhishek Mishra, originally hails from Odisha and graduated with a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering from IIT Roorkee in 2021.

After completing his studies, he secured a job with a company offering an annual salary of approximately Rs 20 lakh but later resigned. He had been living in a rented house in Radhakund, Govardhan, for the past three years.

Mishra, who also went by the name Adhikarta Narayan Das, allegedly used online spiritual discourses to attract educated women, particularly those in high-paying corporate jobs.

Once trust was established, he would invite them to his home, administer intoxicants, exploit them sexually, and secretly record the acts. These recordings were then allegedly used to extort money from the victims.

Investigators believe that the funds obtained through blackmail were used to acquire property in Radhakund, where he set up what he referred to as an 'ashram'.

SP (Rural) Suresh Chandra Rawat confirmed that a police team apprehended Abhishek Mishra at his residence in Radhakund on Monday evening. During the operation, authorities rescued two young women and a boy from the premises, all of whom were sent to a de-addiction center for treatment and counseling.

The investigation further revealed that the accused facilitated informal unions, known as Gandharva marriages, between educated young men and women. Police allege that he manipulated these women psychologically to establish physical relationships.

Officials noted that the accused primarily targeted women with technical and professional backgrounds, especially B.Tech graduates from multinational companies. During searches, police recovered numerous objectionable images and videos involving various young men and women from the suspect's mobile device.

The accused remains in custody and is undergoing interrogation. Investigators are exploring additional facets of the case, including the potential for more victims and the broader network of activities allegedly conducted from the so-called ashram.