Idukki Gold, drug cartel brought godman Ram Rahim to God's Own Country

Self-styled godman and Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh was reportedly brought to Kerala by the prospects of Idukki Gold and the drug cartel operating out of the state.

Idukki Gold, known locally as Neelachadayan and Mahadevan, is a cannabis strain originating from Idukki, Wayanad and surrounding areas. Popular across the international drug market, it is regarded as as one of the finest cannabis strains in Asia.

Ram Rahim - known as 'rockstar baba' and 'guru of bling' - had close ties with an international smuggling racket, known as Kuwait Cartel, which also used to carry out drug trafficking from Kerala, according to reports.

From Godman to goonman: All you need to know about Ram Rahim Singh

Ram Rahim's links with the drug cartel became clear when four known associates of the godman were arrested by the Delhi police in December 2013 when they tried to carry cannabis worth several crores to New Delhi ahead of the New Year celebrations in the city. The police had also seized a large quantity of narcotics smuggled into Sirsa in June 2013. However, the godmen's high-level connections meant that investigation into the same did not reach the Dera headquarters.

The controversial godman, who has been found guilty of rape by a CBI special court, has visited Kerala three times, according to reports. Vythiri in Wayanad was one of his preferred getaway destinations in Kerala. He is known to have close relations with several celebrities, politicians and community leaders in the state.

Did 'rockstar baba' Ram Rahim Singh try to rope in a Malayalam superstar?

Ram Rahim had reportedly offered a prominent Malayalam actor several crores to become the Dera's ambassador in South India. He also had plans to pump in a whopping Rs 6,000 crore in several enterprises in Kerala, including real estate, colleges and hospitals, in the near future. 

• Gurmeet Ram Rahim Singh
• Idukki Gold
• Dera Sacha Sauda
• Kerala