Man found guilty of impersonating missing boy... 41 years later!

Updated July 5, 2022, 11:58 a.m. | By Eats Coast Radio

Imposter syndrome without the syndrome!

In 1977, Kanhaiya Singh, went missing whilst on his way back home/BBC News

Do you ever feel like a fraud? Do you ever feel like an imposter?

This guy does... because he actually is one!

A man was finally found guilty of impersonating a young boy - for 41 years!

In 1977, Kanhaiya Singh went missing whilst on his way back home. Kanhaiya was the son of an affluent family in Bihar, India.

After his son's disappearance, the father became depressed, but continued to hope that his son would be found. He became more hopeful after the village shaman told him that his son would one day reappear.

In September 1981, a man in his twenties arrived at their village.

Dressed in saffron, singing songs and begging for a living, the man convinced locals that he was the "son of a prominent person" in Murgawan, Kanhaiya Singh's village.

News spread to the father, Kameshwar Singh, and mother that this was their son and that he had finally returned home.

Kameshwar went to see it for himself.

The boy's mum, Ramsakhi Devi, was not so convinced. She stated that her son had a cut on the left side of his head, but this kid did not. The missing boy's mother opened up a case of impersonation against this "prodigal son".

Fast forward 41 years later and the truth has revealed a chilling tale of deception and an unimaginable delay in the pursuit of justice.

For over two decades, this imposter was on bail and lived the life Kanhaiya Singh was meant to live.

The imposter's name was finally revealed as Dayanand Gosain.

We have heard tales of deception and injustice before, but this was hauntingly creepy. Imagine living with a stranger in your home, giving them access to your assets, sharing in their most celebrated milestones. Unreal!

This story continues in extreme detail and if you would like to read all about it, click here. BBC News reporter and investigative journalist, Soutik Biswas, brilliantly pieced together this gripping tale of deceit, heartache, and an incredibly delayed response in justice.