Indore’s ambitious beggar-free campaign took an unexpected turn after authorities uncovered a crorepati hiding in plain sight. A frail-looking, physically disabled man who moved through the streets pushing an iron cart with his hands tucked inside shoes was found to own multiple properties, run money-lending operations, and even employ a personal driver.
The man, identified as Mangilal, was widely believed to be a beggar, though he later claimed he never directly asked for alms. Instead, he would push his cart through busy areas, prompting passers-by to hand him cash and coins. According to a report by The Times of India, he earned between ₹500 and ₹1,000 a day this way.
The reality surfaced when Mangilal was taken in by a team from Madhya Pradesh’s Women and Child Development Department. During questioning, he revealed that he owns a three-storey house in Bhagat Singh Nagar, a 600-square-foot home in Shiv Nagar, and a one-bedroom flat in Alwasa, allotted to him by the Red Cross Society under the PMAY scheme due to his disability. In addition, he owns three auto-rickshaws that he rents out and a Swift Dzire car, complete with a salaried driver.
Mangilal also admitted to lending money at high interest rates, collecting repayments daily or weekly.
Officials have documented his bank accounts and cash holdings for verification. He is expected to be produced before the district collector to explain how he obtained a PMAY house despite already owning property.
Indore has been working to eliminate begging from its streets since February 2024. As part of the drive, more than 6,500 beggars have been identified over the past two years. In May 2025, District Magistrate Ashish Singh stated that nearly 5,000 individuals had been rehabilitated since the campaign began.
The initiative has focused on rehabilitation and social inclusion rather than punishment. More than 170 rescued children have been enrolled in schools, while adults have received skill training and job placements through state-run programmes. This people-centric approach has earned recognition from the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment as well as the World Bank.