A self-proclaimed “international yoga guru” has been arrested in Chhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon district for allegedly operating a drug and vice racket disguised as a spiritual retreat. The accused, 45-year-old Kanti Aggarwal—also known as “Yogi Baba Kanti Aggarwal” or “Sonu”—was taken into custody following a police raid at his farmhouse-style yoga ashram near the sacred Pragya Giri hills.
The raid, prompted by a tip-off, uncovered 1.993 kilograms of cannabis worth around ₹20,000, along with syringes, sex toys, banned substances, foreign electronics, and other suspicious items hidden within the premises. Marketed as a yoga and meditation centre, the ashram was allegedly being used to lure local youth into substance abuse while building a covert network. Late-night gatherings of young men and women had already raised alarm among locals, given the area's religious significance.
During questioning, Aggarwal claimed to have travelled to over 100 countries as a yoga ambassador and said he heads more than 10 NGOs, many of which receive foreign funding. Investigators suspect he previously ran a similar "heritage yoga centre" in Goa, targeting foreign clients under the guise of wellness retreats, and was replicating the model in Chhattisgarh. The farmhouse was found to be equipped with advanced surveillance equipment and imported video devices, now being analysed by cybercrime experts for possible use in illicit activities.
Aggarwal has been booked under the NDPS Act Section 20(b) and remains in judicial custody. Authorities are now scrutinising his NGO affiliations, funding trails, passport records, and vast network of international connections. The case has stunned the local community, and central agencies have joined the investigation to explore possible cross-border links to the alleged operation.