Bhubaneswar: A couple has been arrested for allegedly duping a man of Rs 1.47 crore on the pretext of arranging a residential plot in Bhubaneswar, police said on Tuesday.
The accused have been identified as Srimanta Kalas and his wife, Soumya Subhadarshini Kalas, both residents of Tankapani Road in the city.
According to the complaint, the couple allegedly collected Rs 1,47,60,000 from the complainant, Sudhir Panigrahi, in six instalments after promising to arrange a plot of land for him.
Of the total amount, Rs 1 crore was transferred online, while the remaining Rs 47.60 lakh was allegedly paid in cash in eight to 10 instalments at the couple’s residence, Panigrahi said.
The complainant alleged that the couple told him that the land belonged to a king of Jagatpur who had died, while his family members were residing outside the state. They assured him that all necessary documents for the transfer of the property would be completed, he said.
However, the accused allegedly failed to provide the land documents even after two years of receiving the money. When Panigrahi sought a refund, they allegedly stopped responding to his calls and requests.
“I paid them the money in six phases. They assured me that all the necessary documentation would be completed. However, even after two years, they did not provide the papers. When I asked them to return my money, they did not respond, following which I lodged a complaint with the police,” Panigrahi alleged.
The couple allegedly gained the complainant’s confidence by posing as influential industrialists and claiming to have business operations in Choudwar in Cuttack district and Khordha.
Based on the complaint, Chandrasekharpur Police registered a case and launched an investigation before arresting the couple.
Further investigation is underway to ascertain whether the accused were involved in similar cases of fraud, police said.
