A 27-year-old software engineer from Shivamogga has allegedly lost ₹48 lakh to a self-styled healer offering “sexual wellness treatment”, and police suspect the so-called Ayurvedic concoctions may have caused kidney damage. The Jnanabharathi police registered a case on Saturday based on the victim’s complaint and have launched a search for the accused quack and the medical shop owner involved.

Quack lured victim with ‘quick cure’ claims

According to police, the victim had first consulted a multi-speciality hospital in Kengeri for sexual health issues and was prescribed standard medication. However, on May 3, he noticed a tent in Bengaluru advertising a “quick cure” for sexual problems. Inside, he met a man identifying himself as Vijay Guruji, who claimed he could provide a permanent cure through Ayurvedic treatment.

After a brief examination, the accused allegedly prescribed a substance called “Devaraj Booti”, claiming it was sourced from Haridwar. The victim was directed to an Ayurvedic shop in Yeshwanthpur to purchase the concoction.

Medicines priced at lakhs per gram

Police said the complainant paid an exorbitant ₹1.6 lakh per gram for Devaraj Booti in cash, as the shop did not accept digital payments. The quack later prescribed 15 grams of “Bhavana Booti Taila”, priced at ₹76,000 per gram, followed by 4 grams of “Devaraj Rasabooti”, costing ₹2.6 lakh per gram.

In all, the techie spent around ₹48 lakh on these so-called medicines. To fund the purchases, he borrowed ₹17 lakh from his wife and parents, took a bank loan of ₹20 lakh, and sourced the remaining amount from friends, officials said.

Kidney damage suspected

Despite spending heavily, the victim saw no improvement in his health. A medical test later revealed that his kidney had suffered damage, allegedly due to the concoctions. When he confronted Vijay Guruji, the latter allegedly warned him against stopping the medication, claiming his health would deteriorate further.

Police are now verifying the composition of the seized substances and investigating the network behind the fraudulent therapy.