‘Godman’ Dwivedi had over a lakh followers

He also bought property at three other addresses — a three-storeyed building in Khanpur,one in Mohammadpur and another in Humayunpur. Dwiwedi allegedly had 50 to 60 girls working directly under him and had access to nearly 500 others through his contacts. Police sources said he was in touch with other pimps working in the city,including Sonu Punjaban and Kamaljeet Singh. His associate Parveen Kumar,also arrested,was reportedly in charge of the logistics and finding customers.

Police officers said Dwivedi’s flesh trade flourished through word of mouth and through ads on various online classifieds sections. He allegedly supplied women at five-star hotels as well. A majority of the women working under him were well off financially and socially,the police said.

Of the six arrested on Thursday,two are air-hostesses,while the other two are postgraduate students. The rest of the women are absconding,the police said.

“He had many men working for him who spotted the women. He especially targeted women staying away from their homes and lured them with offers of good money and connections,which included many Members of Parliament and Members of the Legislative Assembly,who were among his disciples.

Once in,the women could not get out as he allegedly blackmailed them,” a senior police officer said.

Dwivedi’s henchmen issued threats to residents of the localities where he carried out his operations if they raised objections.

Deputy Commissioner of Police (South),H G S Dhaliwal said Dwivedi has amassed a lot of wealth in the span of his criminal career. In addition to the temple and three properties in Delhi,he owns property in Chitrakoot,Uttar Pradesh,as well. Apart from a house he has built for his parents there,he has also constructed a 200-bed hospital and a temple.

Police officers said Dwivedi will be taken to Chitrakoot on Monday evening to assess his wealth and properties.