Rescued ‘crorepati’ beggar sent to Sewadham Ashram in Ujjain

Indore: A ‘crorepati' beggar, who was rescued by women and child development (WCD) department from the Sarafa Bazaar, was sent to Sewadham Ashram in Ujjain for rehabilitation.Physically disabled Mangilal was discovered operating from a sliding iron cart with ball-bearing wheels, but his humble exterior masked a life of significant wealth.Upon being questioned by the rescue team, Mangilal disclosed an extensive portfolio of property, including a three-storey house, a 600-square-foot home, and a one-bedroom flat. He also owns three auto-rickshaws, all of which are rented out for additional income. Most surprisingly, he reportedly owns a car and maintains a driver on his personal payroll. It was learned that Mangilal was not just seeking alms, but was also allegedly operating a money-lending business. Indore Collector Shivam Verma stated that the administration was seeking expert legal advice to address these findings. "Based on the advice of legal experts, we will examine the scale of his money-lending business and determine what specific actions can be taken in this regard," Verma said.The collector emphasised that field teams are actively monitoring the city and taking swift action on reported incidents. He reminded the public that the ban extends to those seeking alms under the guise of selling small items like pens or balloons at traffic squares. Earlier, the administration had lodged FIRs not only against those found begging but also against persons found giving alms, as part of its comprehensive strategy to check the practice.