Kolkata, 15 Feb 2026: In a shocking case of deception, four men posing as Hindu deities have been detained by Kolkata Police for allegedly stealing valuables from unsuspecting pedestrians. The accused, who dressed as Goddess Kali, Lord Shiva, and other deities, used religious sentiments to approach people and solicit money before stealing wallets and mobile phones.
Such scenes are not uncommon in busy city areas, where people often encounter individuals dressed as deities asking for alms. However, in this case, the suspects exploited faith and distraction to commit theft. Victims reportedly realized their belongings were missing only after the disguised individuals disappeared.
Based on a complaint lodged at Jorasanko Police Station, the Kolkata Police tracked down the suspects. The four accused were detained from the Hastings area and have been identified as residents of Anand district in Gujarat. Their names are Anil Ramju Salat, Dhiru Kalovai Salat, Samirbhai Salat, and Raju Kumar.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the group was not operating only in Kolkata but had been carrying out similar activities in other cities as well.
The breakthrough came during the interrogation of two other accused, Mohammad Shahnawaz and Mohammad Samir, who were earlier arrested in connection with a mobile theft case registered at Girish Park Police Station. Leads obtained from their questioning helped police trace the four disguised suspects.
Police officials stated that the investigation is ongoing, and efforts are underway to uncover a larger network behind such crimes.
Source: Kolkata Police
