Man held for posing as temple trustee

Mumbai: Gamdevi police arrested a man for duping over 50 people to the tune of lakhs of rupees. He was accused of posing as a trustee of the ISKCON temple and behaving as if he had godly powers. The accused has been identified as 39-year-old Rupesh Chavan alias Deshpande alias Prabhuji. He used to sit outside the temple and talk about big business deals. “The accused used to introduce himself as trustee of the temple and had befriended many rich people. On building contacts with such people, he used to promise them great rewards at cheaper rates,” informed Rajendra Chavan, assistant police commissioner, Girgaum division. The accused had allegedly gained popularity and stronghold in this business which later forced him to flee from the spot. He is believed to have duped over 50 such people. A betel-leaf trader registered a complaint against him that led to his arrest from the house of his uncle in Bandra. Police have seized valuables worth Rs 83 lakh from the accused.