Dehradun: In a massive crackdown on fraudulent religious Babas, the Uttarakhand Police have arrested 82 self-styled “fake babas” across the state in just three days under a newly launched campaign—Operation Kalanemi.

The drive, initiated on the directions of Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami, aims to expose and take action against individuals exploiting religious sentiments for personal gain.

Campaign intensified over the weekend

Spearheaded by the Dehradun Police under the leadership of Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Ajay Singh, the campaign intensified over the weekend. On the third day alone—July 13—34 imposters were apprehended from different police station areas in Dehradun district. Of these, 23 were found to be residents of other states who had entered Uttarakhand under the guise of saints and spiritual healers.

“Operation Kalanemi is a mission to protect the faith of people in Devbhoomi,” said SSP Singh. “These individuals masquerade as sadhus to mislead innocent citizens, especially women and youth, by promising solutions to personal or domestic problems and then commit fraud.”

Arrested babas were found loitering in public spaces and residential areas

Police officials disclosed that the arrested babas were found loitering in public spaces and residential areas, dressed in saffron robes and performing deceptive rituals to lure followers. Legal action is being taken against them under relevant provisions of the Indian Justice Security Code.

Directives have been issued to all station in-charges

The campaign has sparked renewed conversation around religious integrity and public trust in spiritual institutions. According to officials, directives have been issued to all station in-charges to actively identify and investigate such imposters. Police have also been asked to maintain heightened vigilance in religious towns and pilgrimage zones.

Authorities are encouraging citizens to report instances

The drive is being closely monitored by SSP Singh himself, who has deployed teams across sensitive areas and ordered intelligence units to track individuals with suspicious behavior and unverifiable backgrounds. Authorities are encouraging citizens to report instances where faith is being misused for monetary or psychological manipulation.

Uttarakhand has seen a growing influx of spiritual practitioners

In recent years, Uttarakhand has seen a growing influx of spiritual practitioners, especially in urban centers like Dehradun, Haridwar, and Rishikesh. While many serve authentic religious roles, rising concerns over fraudulent behavior have prompted this assertive intervention. Public reaction has been mixed—while many have applauded the campaign’s intent to safeguard genuine religious practices, others have called for deeper scrutiny and caution against profiling individuals solely based on attire or claims.

Officials have emphasized that the goal is not to target religion

The campaign will continue in the coming days, with police expected to widen their net across other districts. Officials have emphasized that the goal is not to target religion, but to protect it from those who exploit it. With Devbhoomi’s sanctity at stake, “Operation Kalanemi” seeks to restore public confidence and ensure that reverence is not weaponized for deceit.