He was charged in several cases where he hijacked and looted trucks which carried cows to slaughter. He then redistributed the looted cows among the locals, he had achieved a degree of popularity among the tribals and was also becoming a political figure. Some of the villagers also gave him shelter after he was on the run for more than a year during the Graham Staines case. He had a small loyal band that was increasingly involved in violent opposition to what they perceived as anti-Hindu forces.