Millionaire Beggars in Indore: Earning More Than Many Government Employees

Indore, Madhya Pradesh: Indore has become home to a surprising number of wealthy beggars, some of whom earn more than the salaries of many government employees. Among them, Mangilal recently made headlines after authorities discovered that he had amassed crores of rupees through begging. He reportedly owns luxury homes, a car, and two auto-rickshaws, and even lends money to gold traders at interest.

Luxury Living and Professional Begging
Many beggars in Indore have turned begging into a full-time profession. Some travel from other states to earn in the city, staying in hotels after begging during the day. In October 2024, authorities caught 22 beggars, including 11 minors, who were residing in hotels and begging professionally.

Income Surpassing Government Salaries
During anti-begging drives in December 2024, officials found a woman beggar with ₹75,000 cash, representing her weekly earnings, which could amount to ₹3 lakh per month—far exceeding the pay of most government employees. Another beggar, Indra, owned a two-story house, land plots, a bike, and a ₹20,000 smartphone, earning ₹2.5 lakh in just 45 days.

Begging Networks from Other States
Some beggars travel from other states such as Andhra Pradesh to Indore for begging. Authorities found one such individual with ₹20,000 cash and a reserved train ticket, who admitted he came to the city specifically to earn money through begging.

Wealth Beyond Indore
Indore is not alone; similar cases exist elsewhere in Madhya Pradesh. In Ujjain, Narayan Das Sadhu reportedly owns two houses, multiple plots, and fixed deposits worth ₹1.5 crore. In Bhopal, a beggar named Geeta Bai owns land, houses, fixed deposits, and gold and silver jewelry, claiming that begging income supplements her other earnings.

High Concentration in Key Areas
In Indore, wealthy beggars are most visible in areas like Rajwada, Sarafa, Khajrana, and 56 Bazaar, attracting large crowds who contribute to their fortunes. Despite repeated anti-begging campaigns, authorities are struggling to eliminate the city’s thriving begging network.