In the bustling lanes of eastern Mumbai, where followers once lined up outside her modest home for blessings, Jyoti, a transgender “Guru Maa” with over 300 devoted disciples, was living a secret life. When Mumbai Police began probing her background, Babu Ayan Khan alias Jyoti was found to be a Bangladeshi national who had been living in the city illegally for more than three decades.

Police said Jyoti had allegedly procured forged Indian birth and identity certificates to claim citizenship. However, when the documents were sent for verification, they were found to be fake, leading to her arrest. Officers said Jyoti’s arrest followed multiple complaints and five earlier cases related to assault and public disturbances registered at Shivaji Nagar, Narpoli, Deonar, Trombay, and Kurla police stations. She also allegedly owned more than 20 houses in Rafique Nagar, Govandi, where followers gathered regularly for rituals and blessings.