A leprosy-stricken beggar rescued from the streets of Indore has been discovered to be a wealthy property owner with multiple houses and income streams.
A physically challenged beggar rescued from the streets of Indore in India’s Madhya Pradesh state has stunned authorities after investigations revealed that he is far from destitute. Indian media reports said the man, identified only as Mangilal, owns several properties, vehicles and businesses, despite spending years begging in public places while suffering from leprosy.
Mangilal was rescued as part of an intensified drive by local authorities to make Indore a beggar-free city. The 50-year-old, who is unable to walk and has lost his fingers to leprosy, was a familiar sight at the busy Sarafa Bazaar, where he sat cross-legged on a small wheeled wooden platform and moved around slowly. His downcast gaze and frail appearance reportedly drew sympathy and daily donations from passersby.
However, after he was taken off the streets, bathed and questioned by officials, it emerged that Mangilal was earning thousands of rupees daily from begging and even lending money to shopkeepers in the market at interest. Further checks showed that he was not homeless, but owned three properties, including a three-storey house, another residential building and a flat allocated to him under a government welfare scheme.