Bhubaneswar: A man was arrested for allegedly duping a person of around Rs 3.75 lakh on the pretext of providing him a land from the Red Cross foundation here and a job for his son in the state Health department.
The accused, Prasanjit Mohanty, is a resident of Matha Sahi under Chauliaganj police station in Cuttack and the victim, Niranjan Pradhan, resides at Bhagabat Basti near Fire station square in the Capital.
Pradhan, an auto-rickshaw driver by profession, operates in and around Baramunda bus stand area.
Sources said five months ago, Mohanty met Pradhan as a customer. Mohanty had hired Pradhan’s vehicle to go from Cuttack to Bhubaneswar. During an interaction, Mohanty lured Pradhan into his scheme saying that he could arrange a land for him from the Red Cross for Rs 2.75 lakh. Mohanty also hoodwinked him to believe that he would arrange a meet with Prime Minister Modi for him and a tour for him at the Rashtrapati Bhawan. He also promised Pradhan a job in the Health and Family Welfare department for the latter’s son in exchange of Rs 1 lakh. A gullible Pradhan fell into the trap laid by Mohanty and paid him Rs 3.75 lakh.
Later, Mohanty gave Pradhan an appointment letter from the department for the latter’s son. On finding the letter fake, Pradhan lodged a complaint with Khandagiri police June 16.
Police registered a case (251/18) under Sections 419, 420,468 and 471 of the IPC. Mohanty was arrested from his residence at Cuttack and produced before the court here Sunday.
