Assam Police arrest social media occultist known as Pagla Baba

Guwahati: Nagaon Police arrested Jahur Ali for peddling fake supernatural cures. Known to his followers as Pagla Baba, the Balijan man relied on social media to build his brand. Officers cuffed him on Saturday under the Juria Police Station jurisdiction. He faces charges under the Assam Healing (Prevention of Evil Practices) Act, 2024, along with additional legal provisions.

Authorities target those who exploit vulnerable people through unscientific fraud. This recent arrest signals a crackdown on deceptive magical healing throughout the state. The department issued a clear warning to practitioners. "The Nagaon Police reiterates its commitment to prevent exploitation of vulnerable persons through fraudulent, unscientific and prohibited practices," officials stated.

The 2024 Act pushes science-based knowledge over dangerous superstition. Assam has long fought similar battles. State officials passed a law against witch-hunting in 2018 and added a new policy in 2025 to tackle human trafficking and occult violence. Police records show 32 witch-hunting cases between 2022 and 2024. Health experts and local groups continue to demand better community healthcare to stop these cycles of exploitation.