Chennai, February 11
Politicians are not the only ones who are superstitious and avail the services of sadhus for their well-being. Policemen in the Union Territory of Puducherry, 180 km from here, are resorting to divine intervention to control crime.

The Puducherry police recently sought the services of a hermit-cum-magician from Kancheepuram in Tamil Nadu in performing a “yajna” to keep crime at bay and for the well-being of its personnel.

The “sadhu”, popularly known as “Dollar Swami”, as he is said to wave his hand and produce US dollars with “Om” symbols out of thin air, was invited by Puducherry Superintendent of Police B. Ramashkadan recently to hold a special "yajna" in his office.

The “Dollar Swami” was given VIP treatment and escorted, along with his two disciples, to the SP’s office. Inside closed doors, the swami performed a two-hour “Kumbha Kalasa Yajna”. Mr Ramashkadan and a few of his colleagues attended the ritual.

However, the SP’s depreciators say the pious police officer organised the “yajna” to prevent him being transferred from his present posting.

Known to be God-fearing and a devout Hindu, Mr Ramashkadan found himself in a controversy a few months ago for prostrating before the Sankaracharya of Kanchi Mutt, Sri Jayendra Saraswati, when he was being produced at the Puducherry principal and sessions court for his alleged involvement in the famous Sankaraman murder case. The SP was on duty at the court that day.

Though the performing of the “yajna” was supposed to be a closely-guarded secret, female police personnel thronged the SP’s office to touch the swami’s feet and seek his blessings.