In a major breakthrough, the Maharashtra police, with the help of local law enforcement in Uttar Pradesh, arrested Babban Vishwanath Shinde, also known as ‘Babban Baba,’ the mastermind behind a ₹300-crore bank fraud. He had been hiding in Vrindavan, Mathura, disguised as a ‘sadhu’ (seer) for several months.
Babban Baba’s Disguise and Arrest
Babban Baba, who was on the run, had altered his appearance to evade capture. He shaved his beard and moustache, wore traditional ‘kurta’ and ‘dhoti,’ and pretended to be a religious figure. For months, the Maharashtra police searched for him in various locations across India, including Delhi, Nepal, Assam, Odisha, and Uttar Pradesh. Eventually, the police tracked him down near the Krishna Balram Mandir in Vrindavan.
His Crimes and Background
Babban Baba was wanted in several fraud cases registered in Beed, Dharashiv, and Mumbai between June and July 2023. The Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) of Mathura, Arvind Kumar, confirmed that Shinde was involved in multiple criminal activities. A case was registered against him in July 2023 under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). After his arrest, the Maharashtra police obtained a transit remand from a local court to take him back for legal proceedings.
The ₹300-Crore Fraud
Shinde was the chairman of Jijau Maasaheb Multi-State Cooperative Credit Society Limited, based in Beed. The cooperative bank had around 70,000 account holders who had deposited crores of rupees. In May 2023, a ₹150-crore fraud in the bank was uncovered, which later ballooned to ₹300 crore as more victims came forward.
Sensing the trouble, Babban fled Beed on July 3, 2023, after the fraud was exposed and the first FIR (First Information Report) was filed. Multiple FIRs were later registered in various districts of Maharashtra. While several individuals were arrested in connection with the fraud, Babban Baba managed to evade authorities by continuously changing his location.
Conclusion
This arrest marks a significant step toward justice for the thousands of victims who lost their hard-earned money. Babban Baba will now face legal proceedings for his crimes, and the investigation into the multi-crore bank fraud continues as authorities aim to recover the defrauded funds.
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