Bhole Baba, Constable Turned Godman in On The Run, Know More About The Man Behind Hathras Stampede

New Delhi: Self-proclaimed godman Sakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba was the person at whose ‘satsang’ in Hathras of Uttar Pradesh 121 persons lost their lives. He has absconded after the mishap.

Despite conducting raids at his Ram Kutir Charitable Trust in Mainpuri district and other places, police could not locate ‘Bhole Baba’.

Interestingly, the FIR related to the stampede does not mention Bhole Baba as an accused. Organiser Dev Prakash Madhukar, referred to as ‘Mukhya Sewadar’, and other organisers of the religious event are named in the FIR.

Sakar Vishwa Hari Bhole Baba was formerly known as Saurabh Kumar. He started his career as a constable in the intelligence department of Uttar Pradesh Police.

After 17 years of service, he left the police job to start the new career as a preacher. His distinct identity is his white suit and tie.

He organises satsang programmes with his wife, who is known as ‘Sakar Vishwa Hari Baba of Patiali’.

Bhole Baba has lakhs of followers in UP, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, who call themselves as ‘Baba’s army’.

According to devotees, Bhole Baba had no religious mentor and he became a godman after having a ‘vision’ of the deity. He usually holds his satsangs every Tuesday. Last week he had his ‘satsang’ in Mainpuri district last week.

Bhole Baba stirred controversy during the Covid pandemic when he sought permission for a satsang in Farrukhabad district in May 2022. It was to be attended by only 50 people. However, over 50,000 attended it.