The Uttar Pradesh police has recently lodged a case against an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and her husband for allegedly duping a doctor of over Rs. 64 lakh on the pretext of “investment.” The FIR was lodged at the Gomti Nagar police station, as directed by the court. Dr. Mridula Agarwal, in her complaint, alleged being the victim of fraud amounting to Rs. 64,63,250 against the IFS officer, Ms. Niharika Singh, her husband Mr. Ajit Gupta and their associated companies in Lucknow.
Officer Singh could not immediately contact them for a response as she is currently posted in Indonesia. The FIR has been lodged under IPC sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) for the offence that took place between February 2 and 29, 2020. Those booked in this case include Mr. Ajit Gupta, his wife Niharika Singh, Ani Bullion Traders and Eye Visions India Credit Cooperative Society Limited.
Dr. Agarwal, a 54-year-old resident of Gomti Nagar, revealed that she became acquainted with the couple in 2016 when they brought their daughter for treatment at her clinic. She claims that the duo persuaded her to invest in their company — ‘Ani Bullion Traders’ — under the pretext of better returns than other investment options.
Falling for their claims, the doctor invested a total of Rs. 51 lakh in Ani Bullion Traders via multiple cheques in August 2016 and she alleged that the agreement was signed on stamped paper. She claimed that post-dated cheques were issued to her as proof of investment.
“The investment was initially profitable, and I received my returns without any interruption until August 2018. However, after February 2019, I was informed that my investments had been transferred to another company, Eye Vision India Credit Cooperative Society, and that my money was secure there,” Dr. Agarwal stated in her complaint.
Despite receiving payments until January 2020, the doctor reported that all payments ceased after February 2020. When she contacted the company, employees informed her that Ajit Gupta and others were in police custody.
“The staff assured me that once they were released, my entire due amount would be paid. However, I have yet to see any positive results,” Dr. Agarwal expressed her grief. The doctor said she is now facing significant mental distress and financial loss due to the alleged fraud.
