Indore: Begging on crowded streets often evokes images of hardship and survival, but occasionally, a story emerges that challenges every assumption. One such case from Indore has stunned the public, revealing how a man perceived as destitute quietly built substantial wealth while begging on city roads.

The surprising wealth of Mangilal

During a recent drive to remove beggars from public spaces, Indore authorities uncovered the remarkable financial profile of Mangilal, a disabled man who moves through Sarafa Bazaar on an iron cart, using his hands inside shoes to propel himself forward.

Passers-by reportedly donated between ₹500 and ₹1,000 a day. However, when the Women and Child Development Department examined his background, they discovered he owned a three-storey house in Bhagat Singh Nagar, a 600 sq ft property in Shiv Nagar, and a one-bedroom flat in Alwasa under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), allotted through the Red Cross due to his disability.

Business, Vehicles and Lending- A businessman

Officials said Mangilal also owns three auto-rickshaws that he rents out, a Swift Dzire car with a driver, and runs an informal money-lending operation in Sarafa, charging high interest. His loans reportedly total ₹4–5 lakh, generating ₹400–500 daily, in addition to his street earnings. He lives in the Alwasa flat with his parents, while his brothers reside separately.

Following public complaints, officials verified his bank accounts and cash holdings.