"We have invoked the provisions of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) against Shiv Murat Dwivedi," DCP (south) HGS Dhaliwal said.
39-year-old Dwivedi alias Ichchadhari Sant Swami Bhimanand Ji Maharaj Chitrakoot Wale, who had set up a temple in south Delhi's Khanpur, was arrested along with a man and six women, including two airhostesses, on charges of prostitution.
Half a dozen diaries were recovered from Dwivedi's possession which listed several names, including that of some politicians, police claimed.
Police believe that Dwivedi was in close association with some notorious pimps, including Sonu Punjaban and two others who were arrested in November 2008, and was running the racket along with them