Nagpur: A major financial fraud has come to light in Nagpur, where a civil engineer and contractor was allegedly cheated of over ₹1.53 crore on the false promise of securing government construction tenders in Assam. Lakadganj Police have registered a case against multiple accused persons in connection with the scam.

The complainant, Uttam Nivrutti Narkhade (59), a resident of Major Stores Chowk, Tadoba Road, Urja Nagar in Chandrapur, stated in his complaint that the accused approached him with claims of having strong contacts with senior officials in the Assam government. They allegedly assured him that, through their influence, they could help him secure lucrative government construction contracts in Assam.

The accused have been identified as Neela Navin Jaiswal (52) of Jai Badrinath Society, Khamla, Nagpur; Nilima Atul Desai (62) of Charkop, Kandivali, Mumbai; Dipsar (45) of Diphu, Karbi Anglong, Assam; Tapansheel (35); Easy Print proprietor (name not specified), both from Satgaon Road, Navapara, Guwahati, Assam; and Pankaj (35), also a resident of Guwahati.

According to police, the accused allegedly gained the complainant’s trust between November 28, 2024, and January 8, 2025, during meetings held in the Lakadganj police station jurisdiction, including at a Domino’s Pizza outlet near Chapru Nagar Chowk in Nagpur. They reportedly asked Narkhade to transfer money to various bank accounts under the pretext of preparing licences, permits, government documentation, and commission payments required to secure the tenders.

Believing their claims, the complainant transferred a total of ₹1,53,04,912 to the accused at different times. However, no government contracts were secured. When Narkhade later demanded his money back, the accused allegedly avoided him and failed to return the amount, leading to financial loss and breach of trust.

Based on the complaint and preliminary inquiry, Sub-Inspector Suraj Kolhe of Lakadganj Police Station has registered an offence against the accused under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Sections 318(3), 318(4), 319(2), 336(3), 338, 339, and 3(5).

Further investigation into the case is underway.