Former BJP functionary among 3 held from Samastipur for Rs 1.9 crore fraud

Patna: Three persons, including a former BJP district spokesperson, were arrested from Samastipur on Thursday for allegedly duping a man of Rs1.90 crore on the pretext of doubling his money in Ambala, Punjab.

The arrests were made during a joint raid by the Ambala Cantt GRP and the Bihar STF after the accused were found running a fake-currency–based money-doubling racket.According to police, the accused former BJP functionary has been identified as Pankaj Kumar Lal, a resident of the Dalsinghsarai police station area in Samastipur district and the party’s former district spokesperson. His two associates, Kaushal Kumar Kishore and Rajnish, have also been arrested in connection with the case.Police said that one Joshi of Ambala had lodged a complaint at the Ambala Cantt GRP police station, alleging that he was cheated of Rs1.90 crore in the name of doubling his money and offering huge profits on loaned amounts. During the GRP investigation, the involvement of Pankaj and his associates surfaced.On the directions of Ambala Railway SP Nitika Gahlot, a special team was formed under the leadership of Ambala Cantt GRP in-charge Harish Kumar.

Based on technical inputs, the team conducted a raid in the Dalsinghsarai area, where Pankaj and his two aides were apprehended late Wednesday night. Police recovered Rs6 lakh in cash, gold jewellery worth around Rs30 lakh, and a luxury white SUV during the raid.Sadar DSP Vivek Sharma said, “Pankaj used to take Rs30,000 and give fake notes worth Rs1 lakh. He was involved in a fraud and subsequent robbery in Haryana in the name of doubling money through fake notes. His name also appeared in the FIR registered in this case. The fraud occurred in Haryana before the elections. A person was promised Rs4 lakh in exchange for Rs2 lakh, and after the transaction, a robbery took place on the way.

”All three arrested accused are being taken to Ambala on transit remand after being produced in the local court.