In India, a street beggar turns out to be the owner of several businesses, houses, and cars (2 photos)

The "unfortunate" cripple even had a personal driver.





In the Indian city of Indore, as part of a campaign to combat street begging, local authorities discovered that one of the most notorious beggars there had amassed a substantial fortune, something almost anyone who gave him alms on the street could only dream of.

It turned out that 50-year-old Mangilal, who had been begging for years at the city's large Sarafa market, is a successful entrepreneur. The man lends money at interest to local merchants, owns two autorickshaws which he rents out, as well as a three-story house, another smaller house, and an apartment he received through a government program. He also has a personal car with a driver who earns 12,000 rupees per month.

Despite having a personal driver, the man prefers to get around on a wheeled platform. The only thing he was honest about was his disability. Due to leprosy, he lost his fingers and the ability to walk. It was his helpless appearance as a cripple that evoked sympathy from passersby, who offered him alms.



It is noted that during another raid against beggars (beggars are banned in Indore), Mangilal was taken to a relief center, where he was fed and given the opportunity to wash and change clothes. However, when municipal officials conducted an inspection, they discovered that they, rather than he, needed the assistance.

Mangilal did not try to shirk responsibility, as he is confident he did not break the law. He told inspectors that he never begged, "never begged anyone," and simply sat in a certain spot while people put money in his pocket or on his board. Eyewitnesses have already confirmed that the man never directly begged.

Furthermore, the Indian man admitted that the several thousand rupees he "earned" daily at the market were investment capital, not a means of survival. Local authorities are currently investigating his bank accounts and other assets. Law enforcement also has information that some members of Mangilal's family were also involved in begging. Overall, a large-scale investigation has been launched against the "king of beggars," which is likely to uncover many more interesting details.