Mahasamund, August 03: Authorities in Chhattisgarh have shut down ‘Baba’s Darbar’ in Butipali village, where 36-year-old Pitambar Jagat, also known as Jagat Baba, claimed to help women conceive by having them lick a lemon. ‘Buti Wale Baba’ claimed that woman will get pregnant in 15 minutes after licking the lemon. The practice had attracted crowds from across Chhattisgarh and neighboring states like Odisha, Jharkhand, and even as far as Kashmir.

Dainik Bhaskar reported that Jagat Baba held sessions every Tuesday and Saturday at his residence, promising women who were unable to conceive that they could do so by licking a lemon and eating a ‘Madar’ flower. This unusual claim drew up to 2,000 people daily. ‘Pregnant Job’: Fraudsters in Haryana’s Nuh Dupe Men With Fake Job Ad Offering Money for Impregnating Childless Women, 2 Accused Arrested.

The issue came to light when Dr. Dinesh Mishra from the Andhashraddha Nirmulan Samiti reported the activities to the Mahasamund district collector. In response, a team comprising a tehsildar, SDM, Block Medical Officer, and police was dispatched to Butipali to investigate. The team recorded statements from attendees and gathered evidence about Jagat Baba’s sessions. Impregnate Childless Woman For Rs 13 Lakh Scam in Bihar: ‘All India Pregnant Job Agency’ Promises Money For Impregnating Woman Unable to Conceive in Nawada, Eight Arrested.

Following a thorough investigation, the administration banned the gatherings at the ‘Darbar,’ which had been operating for the past five months. Jagat Baba also claimed to cure ailments through exorcism, raising further concerns about his practices. Despite the shutdown, many locals continue to express faith in Jagat Baba, who villagers say was supposedly visited by a deity, ‘Thakur Dev,’ leading him to perform exorcisms after a seven-day worship in a forest cave.

Chief Medical Officer Dr. P. Kudeshiya condemned the activities as blind faith and took steps to close the ‘Darbar.’ The case of Jagat Baba highlights a broader issue in Chhattisgarh, where many figures claim to heal and fulfill wishes through rituals and amulets. Critics argue for more stringent action against such practices, but authorities often wait for formal complaints before intervening.

In this instance, the police acted following the complaint from the Andhashraddha Nirmoolan Samiti. Senior police officials had previously acknowledged awareness of the gatherings but cited a lack of formal complaints as a barrier to intervention.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 03, 2024 08:53 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).