Fake spiritual healer posing as ‘Jinn King’ arrested in DB police operation

DB police have arrested Mahidul Islam (35), a member of a fraud ring accused of swindling large amounts of money from ordinary people by claiming supernatural powers under the guise of being a ‘Jinn King’. He was arrested on Thursday (4 December) night from his home in Ranirpara village of Sonatala upazila in Bogura.

Complainant Mominur Rahman stated in the FIR that Mahidul, son of Tojam Akand of Ranirpara village in Sonatala, along with his associates, had long been deceiving people by presenting themselves as fake ‘Jinn Kings’ (spiritual healers). A few days earlier, Mominur had met Mahidul at an Islamic event in Mahasthan area of Shibganj, Bogura, after which they continued communicating.

On 7 September, after performing Asr prayers, Mominur left home. Around 10pm, his daughter Fatema informed him that an Islamic event was taking place at Mahidul’s house. Mominur and five others went there at around 11:15pm. According to the complaint, the following day the accused allegedly mixed medicine, chemicals or charms with his food, leaving him in an abnormal state and unable to make rational decisions. Although he told his relatives he would return home when they phoned, he did not return for seven days.

During this period, the accused allegedly took a total of Tk 12 lakh from him through cash and bKash transactions. On 4 December, retired Army warrant officer Mominur Rahman, resident of Phultala in Shahjahanpur, filed a case with Sonatala Police Station.

Following the case, DB police intensified surveillance and arrested Mahidul on Thursday night. From his possession, police recovered two human bones, two kohl containers, three red cloths, one attar bottle, two amulets, three pieces of white cloth, three large prayer beads, five incense sticks and black thread.

During primary interrogation, Mahidul admitted that he lured people with promises of spiritual healing and supernatural powers and took money from them. He was later handed over to Shahjahanpur Police Station.

OC Shafiqul Islam said he has been sent to Bogura jail through the court.

Khaborwala/SS