VIJAYAWADA: A Class 10 student died while undergoing treatment for ‘brain power enhancement’ at a private lodge in Governorpet in the city on Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Haranath (15) from Kadapa. Police arrested Bhumeswara Rao, the healer who hails from Guntur, on charges of culpable homicide.
According to assistant commissioner of police (south zone) N Surya Chandra Rao Surya Chandra Rao, around 11 families from Bengaluru, Bellary, Kadapa and parts of Telangana had brought their children to ‘enhance their brains’ to Gangothri lodge in the city, where Bhumeswara Rao had been offering treatment for the last four days.
The families had come to know about Rao through videos posted by him on YouTube.
The police said Haranath was brought to the lodge by his parents after he complained of stomach pain and not being able to concentrate.
Of the four children who were treated, Haranath died while three others were taken to Andhra Hospital for treatment.
The police said it was unclear whether Haranath had died due to the treatment given by Bhumeswara Rao or due to some other ailment.
ACP (South Zone) N Surya Chandra Rao said the accused made the kids take a pill he prescribed every hour and asked them to stay in the lodge for 15 days. A day later, Haranath collapsed while sitting in a chair. When the parents told Rao that their son was dead, Bhumeswara Rao denied it and continued to massage the body.
The cops said they have sent the body to Vijayawada Government General Hospital for postmortem to ascertain the cause of death. According to police, Rao neither has a degree in naturopathy nor a qualification to provide treatment.
Police have collected statements from parents and guardians of the children.