Shiv Murti Dwivedi alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot wale, better known as Sex Baba was sent to extended judicial
custody till April 19. Dwivedi deposed before the metropolitan magistrate, albeit through video conferencing, citing a threat to his life.
Dwivedi's counsel MS Khan disclosed that his client is a man worth Rs 2500 crore and has several investments in real estate. "His life is under threat from the extortion racket in Tihar Jail and that's why we have also asked for a separate cell for him."
Khan refuted claims that Dwivedi had given a confessional statement. "In fact cops made him sign a blank paper forcibly," he said.
The godman is being tried under the stringent provisions of MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act). Dwivedi has been charged in four cases under the Immoral Traffic (Prevention) Act and one case of robbery. On February 25, Delhi Police received a tip-off that some pimps accompanied by sex workers would come to PVR Saket in south Delhi for luring potential customers.
One of the cops was sent as a decoy customer to strike a deal with the pimps, following which Dwivedi was arrested with six girls, including two former airhostesses and two students. The police also recovered six red diaries -- three related to his spiritual centres and three dealing with his illegal activities.
Sex Baba is alleged to have made crores through his prostitution racket and he also ran a website to invite new customers, as his business had spread to all parts of the country.
Dwivedi was first released from jail in 1998 after being held for running a prostitution racket. Before getting into the flesh trade again, he first built a temple in 2000 with the help of a string of followers.
He also bought properties 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. His associate Parveen Kumar, also arrested, was reportedly in charge of the logistics and finding customers
