Special Correspondent
Pune – A self-styled godman has been arrested by Bavdhan Police for secretly accessing and recording the private moments of his devotees using hidden spyware apps installed on their mobile phones. The accused, identified as Prasad alias Bhimrao Tamdaar (age 29, resident of Susgaon, Mulshi), allegedly manipulated devotees by invoking fear of imminent death and urging them to perform certain rituals, during which he covertly recorded their activities.
The incident came to light when a young devotee, concerned about his constantly overheating phone, consulted a friend with technical expertise. On examining the phone, the friend discovered a suspicious hidden application—AirDroid Kid—which allowed remote access to the device’s camera, microphone, and location. This application had been secretly installed by the accused under the pretext of performing a spiritual ritual, during which he would take the devotee’s phone, request their password, and install the spyware.
According to police sources, Tamdaar operated under the guise of divine powers, claiming he had received spiritual enlightenment. He preyed on emotionally vulnerable individuals, telling them that death was inevitable within four to six months unless they followed his instructions. Exploiting their fear, he would suggest performing “rituals” involving physical intimacy with either a lover or a sex worker. While the act was underway, the accused would instruct them to keep their phones in a specific position, allegedly to “absorb divine energy”—all while he remotely watched and recorded their intimate moments.
The situation escalated when the concerned devotee realized that the only person who had handled his phone was the said baba. Upon contacting other devotees, he discovered that their phones too had the same hidden app. A group of them then confronted the baba, who reportedly begged them not to file a complaint.
However, one devotee immediately dialed the emergency number 112 and informed the police. Officers from Bavdhan Police Station promptly reached the location and arrested the accused. The incident drew a large crowd at the police station on Friday (June 27), as several other devotees came forward claiming to be victims of the same modus operandi.
With the help of cyber forensic experts, the police are now examining the accused’s phone and the apps used in the crime. Initial investigations confirm that the allegations are credible. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Information Technology Act and the Maharashtra Prevention and Eradication of Human Sacrifice and Other Inhuman, Evil and Aghori Practices and Black Magic Act. Authorities are also probing where the recorded material was stored and whether it was shared or sold.
The investigation is ongoing, led by Bavdhan Police.
