Bhopal: In Bhopal, the Madhya Pradesh Police, under the guidance and support of Chief Minister Mr. Shivraj Singh Chouhan, has been actively engaged in combating crime and criminals across the state. Recent success came when the Crime Branch of Bhopal successfully apprehended four individuals from Rajasthan who were part of a gang involved in a fraudulent scheme, cheating people out of Rs.42 lakh under the guise of Ayurvedic treatment. This notable achievement exemplifies the dedication and vigilance of the police force in serving and protecting the citizens of Madhya Pradesh.
The Crime Branch team displayed remarkable commitment by conducting a week-long operation in Rajasthan, strategically laying siege around the hideouts of the accused. Their unwavering determination and swift action resulted in the successful arrest of the gang members and the recovery of the entire defrauded amount. The complainant, upon receiving the restored funds, expressed deep gratitude to the Madhya Pradesh Police and acknowledged their exceptional work.
Police Commissioner Mr. Harinarayanchari Mishra emphasized that ensuring justice for the victims remains a top priority for the police. He acknowledged the modern challenges posed by cybercrimes and highlighted a recent major success in a cyber-fraud case involving a staggering sum of Rs.42 lakh. In this particular case, the police managed to retrieve the hard-earned savings of an elderly couple from the culprits. The accomplishment was the result of dedicated efforts from the entire police team, including the Crime Branch, who relentlessly pursued the criminals. Commissioner Mishra noted that the MP Police team spent approximately 20 days in Rajasthan, identifying the accused and eventually arresting the gang members. The entire team was honored with a reward of Rs.30, 000 for their commendable efforts.
The complainant, Mr. Rakesh Mohan Virmani, expressed profound gratitude to the Madhya Pradesh Police, stating that this recovery was nothing short of a dream come true for him. He recounted his despair, as the defrauded amount comprised his wife’s medical expenses and their essential financial resources, including provident fund and gratuity. The recovered funds hold immense value for him, especially in his old age, and he expressed lifelong indebtedness to the Madhya Pradesh Police. He extended his heartfelt thanks to Director General of Police Mr. Sudhir Saxena, Commissioner Mr. Harinarayanchari Mishra, and the entire Madhya Pradesh Police team involved in the operation.
The modus operandi employed by the accused was revealed during the investigation. The complainant, Rakesh Mohan Virmani, detailed in his written complaint how he and his wife were approached by a man named Rajeev in MP Nagar on February 4, 2023. Rajeev claimed that his wife’s illness, Deep Vein Thrombosis, could be cured by a renowned Ayurvedic doctor named Dr. Patel from Mumbai. He provided Dr. Patel’s contact number and assured the couple that the doctor was presently available in Bhopal.
Dr. Patel visited the complainant’s house on February 6 along with his assistant. After assessing the wife’s condition, Dr. Patel performed a disturbing procedure, making an incision on her left knee and extracting a bottle-shaped object from the wound. He presented a white-yellow substance, claiming it was poisonous and responsible for the swelling and blood circulation issues. Dr. Patel offered to perform this dangerous procedure 354 times, charging Rs.6, 000 per session. Mr. Virmani consented, leading to a series of 354 sessions, amounting to Rs.21, 54,000 in fees. Subsequently, Dr. Patel demanded an additional Rs.21 lakh for various expenses such as oils and medicines. However, on February 23, Dr. Patel informed the complainant that he couldn’t visit on February 27, and his subsequent disappearance, along with Rajeev and their company Sanjeevani Ayurvedic, prompted the victim to lodge a complaint with the police. In total, Dr. Patel and his accomplices swindled the complainant of Rs.42, 73,000.
Acting swiftly upon the complaint, the police registered a case under Section 420 and took immediate action. Under the guidance of Police Commissioner Mr. Harinarayanchari Mishra, Additional Commissioner Mr. Anurag Sharma, Deputy Commissioner of Police Shrutkirti Somvanshi, and Assistant Commissioner of Police Mr. Shivpal Singh Kushwaha, a team from the Crime Branch, accompanied by Deputy Commissioner of Police Crime Mr. Shailendra Singh Chauhan, traveled to Jodhpur in Rajasthan.
The police team first targeted Vishal, who held an account involved in the fraudulent transactions. When they couldn’t locate Vishal, they apprehended Savarlal Jat, father of the account holder, Hanuman Sahay (27 years old), in front of Blue City Mall in Jaipur. Upon questioning, Savarlal revealed crucial information and confessed to the crime, implicating other accomplices.
Further investigations led the Crime Branch to Kota, where a ten-member team was dispatched based on information provided by the arrested accused. The team stayed in Kota for a week, covertly gathering intelligence and tracking down the culprits. As a result, three more gang members were apprehended: Mohammad Imran (32 years old), Mohammed Javed (47 years old), and Khaleel (36 years old). These individuals, residents of Sagod and Anta in Kota, are currently under interrogation, providing vital insights into the gang’s operations.
During interrogation, the arrested accused disclosed that their gang comprised seven to eight members who resided in makeshift huts in Sukhisewania, an outer area of Bhopal. The accused, namely Mohd. Imran, Mohd. Javed, and Khaleel, would frequent hotels and restaurants, targeting elderly individuals with mobility issues. M. Sheru would pose as a doctor, convincing victims to undergo treatment, and subsequently extort money from them. The ill-gotten funds were then transferred to the account of Savarsingh in Jodhpur. The gang swiftly distributed the money among themselves and withdrew it from various locations to evade detection.
The comprehensive efforts of the Crime Branch, the diligent investigation by the police, and the cooperation of the complainant have culminated in a significant breakthrough in this case. The Madhya Pradesh Police continues its relentless pursuit of justice, ensuring the safety and well-being of the people they serve.