Sultanpur, UP: In a shocking case of deception and fraud, a 21-year-old UPSC aspirant from Sultanpur, Uttar Pradesh, was duped of ₹38 lakh by a group that included a local lawyer, his son, and several associates. The accused promised to secure the youth a coveted post in the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) through purported “high-level political connections.”
Fake Appointment Letters and Grand Promises
The victim, Pranjal Tripathi, a resident of Laxmanpur locality, had appeared for the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination in 2022. Shortly after, he came in contact with Pranav Dwivedi, the son of local advocate Bajrang Dwivedi. According to the police complaint, Pranav slowly ingratiated himself with Pranjal and his family, claiming he had close ties with Union ministers and bureaucratic circles.
To gain their trust, the accused even provided Pranjal with forged appointment letters for top district-level posts such as Chief Development Officer and District Magistrate – titles that left the family convinced of his influence and authenticity.
FIR Registered Against Seven Accused
The case unraveled after Pranjal realized he had been conned and approached the Kotwali Nagar Police Station with a detailed complaint. Superintendent of Police Kunwar Anupam Singh ordered a preliminary investigation, after which an FIR was filed late Tuesday night.
The FIR names seven individuals, including lawyer Bajrang Dwivedi and his son Pranav, on serious charges including cheating, forgery, criminal conspiracy, and criminal intimidation.
Police Investigations Underway
Police sources have confirmed that investigations are actively ongoing, and authorities are looking into the network and operations of the accused group. The possibility of more victims being involved or other similar cases linked to the same gang has not been ruled out.
Authorities are also examining the forged documents to understand the level of detail involved and whether any insider help was used to fabricate the appointment letters.
Victim Speaks Out
Speaking to reporters, Pranjal expressed deep distress at being betrayed. “I was preparing sincerely for the civil services. They took advantage of our aspirations and trust. This wasn’t just financial fraud – it shattered our dream,” he said.
Public Advisory
Police have urged the public to stay vigilant and avoid falling prey to individuals claiming to have political or bureaucratic influence in exchange for money. Citizens are advised to verify credentials and report any suspicious behavior immediately.
