Patana: A high school headmaster has been arrested by Raruan police in Kendujhar district for allegedly duping job seekers with promises of jobs in government and private organisations, police said Thursday. The accused, Tarachand Ma hanta, 60, of Belasarei village under Patana police station, is the headmaster of Kundu la High School in Saharpada block. He was arrested Wednesday and produced before the Karanjia SDJM court. His bail plea was rejected, and he was sent to judicial custody, Raruan police station inspector Anadi Charan Patayat said.
According to police, Mahanta allegedly collected Rs 20,000 to Rs 60,000 from 16 job aspirants in the Raruan area after promising them jobs as peons, security guards, watchmen and cooks. When the promised jobs did not materialise, the victims lodged complaints with Raruan police.
Acting on a complaint filed by Sushil Chandra Mahanta of Jamuti village, police registered a case and launched an investigation. Police said the accused frequently changed locations after allegedly collecting money from job seekers, making it difficult to trace him.
He was eventually arrested from a lodge in Kendujhar, where he was allegedly staying. Police said Mahanta is also suspected of collecting several lakhs of rupees from job seekers in Patana, Saharpada, Karanjia, Ghatagaon and Kendujhar areas. Separate cases have been registered at Raruan police station. Mahanta also faces allegations of financial irregularities at Kundula High School, irregular attendance and illegal transportation of timber, police said. Karanjia SDPO Naba Kishore Naik said police were investigating whether any other persons were involved in the alleged fraud.
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