Kali Sarkar arrested in UP: Divya darbar fraudster held in 31-year-old cases
Synopsis
A self-styled spiritual operator who ran 'divya darbars' in military dress and claimed healing powers — amassing over 1 lakh social media followers — has finally been arrested in Uttar Pradesh after evading courts on criminal cases filed 31 years ago. A fresh sexual assault case against a minor adds a more alarming dimension to the story.
Key Takeaways
Pradeep Shukla , alias 'Kali Sarkar' , was arrested by Hardoi Police , Uttar Pradesh , in connection with criminal cases dating to 1993 .
He had been operating as a self-styled divine court ('divya darbar') operator in Jhansi district under the alias Satyanand Shukla .
Criminal charges include sections related to Arms Act violations , robbery , dacoity , stolen property , and voluntarily causing hurt .
He was first detained on 10 October but released as records were unavailable; re-arrested after records were verified.
An additional case of alleged sexual assault against a minor has been registered; investigation is ongoing.
Shukla reportedly had over 1 lakh followers on social media at the time of his arrest.
Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh — Pradeep Shukla, widely known by the alias 'Kali Sarkar', has been arrested by the Hardoi Police in connection with criminal cases registered as far back as 1993 — a full 31 years ago. Shukla had gained notoriety for running so-called 'divya darbars' (divine courts) in the Mauranipur area of Jhansi district, where he reportedly claimed to cure ailments and dispensed self-styled justice to a large following.
Who Is Pradeep Shukla
Originally a resident of Chauhan Thok in Hardoi, Shukla had been living under the assumed name Satyanand Shukla at a temple in Kuraicha village, Jhansi, apparently to evade law enforcement. He conducted his divya darbar sessions dressed in military-style attire, projecting an image of authority while claiming supernatural healing abilities. According to reports, he amassed over 1 lakh followers on social media, amplifying his influence well beyond the local area.
Criminal History Spanning Three Decades
Police records reveal a string of serious charges against Shukla. The first case was registered in 1993 under Section 25 of the Arms Act. That same year, another case was filed invoking Sections 394, 397, and 411 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) — provisions related to robbery, dacoity, and receiving stolen property. A further case was registered in 1998 under Section 324 IPC (voluntarily causing hurt by dangerous weapons). Despite these cases, Shukla repeatedly failed to appear before the court, leading to the issuance of a permanent warrant against him.
Earlier Custody and Re-Arrest
Hardoi Police had previously taken Shukla into custody on 10 October, but he was granted relief by the court at the time because his past criminal records were not immediately available for verification. Once those records were retrieved and confirmed, police moved swiftly to re-arrest him. A fresh court warrant was obtained on Tuesday, following which he was arrested and produced before the court.
Sexual Assault Case Under Investigation
It is also reported that a case of alleged sexual assault against a minor has been registered against Shukla. Police are currently investigating the matter. The specifics of this case have not been fully disclosed by authorities, and further details are awaited.
Police Response
Ajit Chauhan, Circle Officer (CO) for Hardoi City, confirmed the arrest, stating that the operation was part of a broader anti-crime drive ordered by the Superintendent of Police. 'As part of this initiative, a court warrant was obtained on Tuesday against Pradeep Shukla, a history-sheeter from Chauhan Thok. Subsequently, he was arrested and produced before the court,' Chauhan said. This arrest is the latest in a series of enforcement actions targeting individuals who exploit religious or spiritual authority to evade accountability.
Point of View
In a different district, in military-style costume, with over a lakh followers online, points to systemic gaps in tracking history-sheeters across state jurisdictions. The first arrest in October, abandoned because records weren't immediately available, is the more quietly damning detail — it suggests the administrative infrastructure for warrant execution remains poorly coordinated. The alleged sexual assault case against a minor, now under investigation, may prove the most consequential charge of all.
NationPress
4 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Kali Sarkar, and why was he arrested?
Kali Sarkar is the alias of Pradeep Shukla, a resident of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, who was arrested for criminal cases registered against him in 1993 and 1998 — including charges under the Arms Act and IPC sections related to robbery and causing hurt. He had been evading the courts for years, prompting the issuance of a permanent warrant.
What were the 'divya darbars' that Kali Sarkar held?
Divya darbars, or 'divine courts', were gatherings organised by Pradeep Shukla in the Mauranipur area of Jhansi district, where he dressed in military-style attire and claimed to cure ailments and dispense justice to devotees. He reportedly attracted over 1 lakh social media followers through these activities.
Why was Kali Sarkar released in October and re-arrested later?
Hardoi Police first took Shukla into custody on 10 October, but the court granted him relief at the time because his past criminal records were not immediately available. Once those records were retrieved and verified, police obtained a fresh warrant and re-arrested him.
Is there a sexual assault case against Kali Sarkar?
Yes, a case of alleged sexual assault against a minor has reportedly been registered against Pradeep Shukla. The Hardoi Police are currently investigating the matter, and further details have not yet been disclosed by authorities.
What charges does Pradeep Shukla face?
Shukla faces charges under Section 25 of the Arms Act (1993), Sections 394, 397, and 411 of the IPC related to robbery, dacoity, and receiving stolen property (1993), and Section 324 IPC for voluntarily causing hurt (1998). An additional case of alleged sexual assault against a minor is also under investigation.
