Look-out notice issued for ‘godman’ wanted in kidnapping case

GHAZIABAD - The Ghaziabad police have issued a look-out notice for a self-stlyed ‘godman’ who is wanted for the alleged abduction of a 27-year-old woman devotee.

A senior officer has been assigned to hunt Anup Kumar Sahai alias Swamiji and his brother Ashutosh Sahai, who at present is posted as under secretary in a union government department, said Superintendent of Police (City) Avdhesh Kumar Vijaita.

The notices have been sent to all International airports, including at Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chinnai, Hyderabad, Banglore and Amrtisar.

After realizing his links at high levels, his multi-crore investments and association with international organisations, it was felt that we should block his exit. A police team has been dispatched to his probable hideouts in India,” Vijaita added.

Priyanka Srivastava alias Dolly is an MBA graduate.

“Priyanka had gone missing from her house in Sector-7, Raj Nagar, since Feb 15. The family claimed she was kidnapped by Anup,” said Rajesh Chaudhary, inspector in-charge of the Kavi Nagar police station of Ghaziabad.

Priyanka’s mother Sudha Srivastava said her daughter had gone to buy milk but did not return home.

“The swami and his elder brother Ashutosh Sahai were involved in the act,” Chaudhary added.

According to police, Sahai moved around in a car with a red beacon and claimed to be a member of the central advisory committee of the labour ministry as well as director of the Centre for Excellence in Vedic Vangmay Research and Development Foundation. He also ran a trust named ‘Saptrishi Foundation’ and a ‘Dayanand Ashram’ in Rishikesh.

Sahai was staying in a flat in Sector-12, Pratap Vihar, in Ghaziabad.

He was married and has a seven-year-old daughter but both his wife and daughter were staying at his mother’s home in Gorakhpur, police said.

“Sahai said he wanted to marry my daughter and was constantly pressurizing us. He even threatened to kidnap her if we did not allow the marriage,” Sudha Srivastava said.