Indore’s ‘beggar-free’ campaign exposes crorepati posing as beggar

January 19, 2026

Indore: In a shocking revelation during Indore’s ongoing anti-begging, a differently-abled man who was a familiar sight in the busy Sarafa market was found to be a crorepati. Mangilal, who moved around by dragging himself on a wooden cart fitted with wheels, was rescued on Saturday by the Women and Child Development Department under the “Beggar-free Indore” initiative, leaving officials stunned by the scale of his hidden wealth.

Multiple properties, vehicles and loan business uncovered

Authorities revealed that Mangilal owned three houses in the city, including a three-storey building in Bhagat Singh Nagar, a 600 sq ft house in Shiv Nagar and a one-bedroom flat in Alwasa allotted under the PMAY scheme. He also owned a car with a personal driver and three auto-rickshaws. Officials said he earned Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 daily without actively begging and used the money to run a private money-lending business, charging high interest to small traders and jewellery shopkeepers in the Sarafa area.

Rehabilitation initiated, assets under verification

The rescue team had been tracking Mangilal for some time, but he repeatedly evaded officials before being caught on Saturday. He has now been shifted for rehabilitation, while authorities verify his bank accounts, cash holdings and other assets. He will also be produced before the District Collector to examine possible misuse of government welfare schemes, as the administration continues its crackdown under the beggar-free Indore drive.