Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has filed a chargesheet against businessman Purushottam Chavan, husband of 2004-batch IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar, for allegedly defrauding a Surat-based textile trader of ₹7.42 crore by promising fake contracts with the Maharashtra Police Academy.
While the case has stirred headlines due to the involvement of a senior police officer’s spouse, IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar has strongly denied any role, claiming she is a victim of her husband’s fraudulent activities.
What the Case Is About
According to the FIR, complainant Rausaheb Desai, a textile trader from Surat, was lured by Chavan and his associates between 2015 and 2024 with the promise of contracts to supply T-shirts and hoodies to the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik. The deals turned out to be fake, supported by forged letterheads, fake designations, and non-existent officials.
Karandikar’s Defence: “I’m a Victim Too”
Karandikar, currently serving in the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department of the Maharashtra Police, submitted a written statement to the EOW, distancing herself from all financial transactions and alleged fraud.
“I am a victim of my husband, who misused my hard-earned money,” her statement reads.
“I had no knowledge or control over any bank or Demat accounts connected to this case. I have no links to the Maharashtra Police Academy’s contracts or tenders.”
She clarified that:
- She has never been part of any tender committee at the Police Academy.
- She has no joint assets with her husband.
- She suffered financial losses due to his actions.
- Her association with the Academy was limited to delivering 2–3 lectures.
She has filed for divorce, citing mental cruelty, financial harassment, and her husband’s bipolar disorder.
Fake Officials and Forged Documents Uncovered
During the EOW probe, forged letterheads from government bodies like Thane and Pune Municipal Corporations were recovered. Alleged officials mentioned in these documents were found to be fictitious, including posts such as “sub-registrar” and “deputy director” of the Maharashtra Police Academy.
Verification confirmed:
- No such designations exist in official records.
- Signatures were forged.
ED also recovered fake documents related to a larger ₹263-crore fraud under investigation.
A Pattern of Fraud
This isn’t Chavan’s first run-in with the law. He has previously been accused of:
Cheating 20 people of ₹24.78 crore with false promises of government flats in Mumbai, Thane, and Pune.
Allegedly duping the same complainant, Desai, earlier with fake GRC certificates, government plot deals, and other bogus contracts.
Current Status
Chavan is named as the prime accused in the chargesheet.
Karandikar is not listed as an accused, though her name was linked due to marital ties and her husband’s misuse of her name and reputation.
The investigation continues under the EOW and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
