The Hindu : New Delhi News : Two arrested for duping people

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 29, 2005

New Delhi

New Delhi

Two arrested for duping people

Staff Reporter

They were running a fake `Kendriya Bhandar'

NEW DELHI: Two persons, who had allegedly duped several people in the name of providing them jobs in a government organisation, have been arrested by the Special Cell of the Delhi police. The accused had rented a premise in district centre Janakpuri and running the fake organisation in the name of Kendriya Bhandar.

The police said Brahm Prakash, a resident of West Delhi, lodged a complaint with the Special Cell on Wednesday against one Kuldeep Sharma. Kuldeep had approached him a few months ago and promised that his niece, Usha Panchal, will be able to get a government job if he paid up Rs. 3 lakhs. Following negotiations, Brahm Prakash paid Kuldeep Rs. 1 lakh in advance.

Ms. Usha got a job as branch manager of "The Kendriya Consumer Cooperative Bhandar" for a salary of Rs. 5,000 on April 11. She also began attending the office at 502-503, Vishwa Sadan, district centre Janakpuri. Brahm Prakash then paid the remaining Rs. 1 lakh to Kuldeep. But a few days later Brahm Prakash came to know that there existed no government organisation by that name. He then approached the police.

Following the complaint, the police raided the Vishwa Sadan premises on Wednesday and arrested Kuldeep and another person, Manoj Pawar alias P.K. Tandon. The police recovered "appointment letters", attendance registers, service books of employees and despatch register from the raided premises. Two other accomplices are absconding, the police said.

According to the police, Kuldeep and Manoj rented the premises on January 19 and put up a huge board of "The Kendriya Consumer Cooperative Bhandar". They told people that it was the first government grocery store and later a chain of such outlets would be opened across the Capital.

In order to convince people of their genuineness, they employed four persons, an administrative officer, a receptionist, one lower division clerk and a peon. They were also getting regular salaries.

The accused adopted complete procedure for recruitment as followed in government organisations. Applications for posts like branch manager, sales manager, storekeepers, lower division clerks and peons for appointment at different outlets were invited. The applicants used to get call letters for interviews which were conducted by a panel of five "officers" including the self-appointed directors Kuldeep and Manoj.

People "selected" for the job were asked to get themselves medically examined at a private clinic in Jasola village. On "joining service", the accused also maintained an attendance register and service books. They also had a fixed salary structure. The police said they have so far issued 20 appointment letters for different posts. Most of the victims, belonging to places on the outskirts of the Capital, had been approached by the accused.

The police said Kuldeep, a Delhi University graduate, earlier used to give tuitions to students of Class X and XII. He came in contact with Manoj, who is involved in cases of murder, attempt to murder, kidnapping for ransom and Arms Act in Uttar Pradesh. The duo then hatched the plan to cheat in order to earn quick and easy money.

Further investigations in the case are on.

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