Indian holy man's electric kicks

A holy man in India has caused controversy by using self-induced electric shocks to get a buzz.

11:04 19 July 2004

A holy man in India has caused controversy by using self-induced electric shocks to get a buzz.

Sadhu Mangal Das, seen as a saint by many in his area, has been deliberately touching live wires to get a kick he could not get from drugs, the Hindustan Times reports.

The 54-year-old from Bahorisar in Uttar Pradesh shocks himself up to three times a day, having first experienced the intoxication of electricity when he accidentally brushed against a naked wire.

He admits that he used to use drugs to get high and also experimented with snake bites and scorpion stings, but is now sticking to his electric highs.

The man known as "Current Baba" has caused unrest in his local village, but police have admitted that there is little they can do as he is not doing anything illegal.

His behaviour has also attracted interest from the medical world, with Amit Chaturvedi from the local Lalitpur Civil Hospital surprised Mr Sadhu is still alive.

The doctor stated that the human body could normally absorb currents up to 12 volts, but that the "Current Baba" seems to be able to cope with shocks as powerful as 16 volts.