Jhansi: A businessman in Uttar Pradesh’s Jhansi has alleged that he was cheated out of nearly ₹1.7 million (₹17 lakh) after being promised a dealership and Carrying & Forwarding (C&F) agency of a Bikaner-based namkeen company. Following a complaint by the victim, police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against five individuals on charges of fraud and launched an investigation into the matter.
According to the complaint, the victim, Pravesh Rai, a resident of Dadiyapura, is engaged in the distribution and sale of food products, including namkeen and other consumer goods. He told investigators that he was approached by Yatendra Yadav, who introduced himself as the proprietor of a namkeen company based in Bikaner. Yadav was accompanied by Sunny Badhwa, Om Singh Purohit, Anshu Puwatia, and Pankaj Anand Srivastava, all of whom allegedly claimed to hold key positions within the company.
Lucrative Business Deal Turn Into Financial Trap
The complainant alleged that the group offered him dealership and C&F agency rights for Jhansi and adjoining regions. During multiple rounds of discussions, the accused reportedly assured him of extensive business support, including assistance with warehouse arrangements, staffing requirements, and market expansion. Convinced by these promises, Rai entered into an agreement with the company and agreed to invest in the proposed business venture.
According to the FIR, the accused subsequently persuaded him to make several payments under different heads linked to the dealership arrangement. Rai stated that he transferred approximately ₹1.5 million (₹15 lakh) to the company through cheques and RTGS transactions. To build confidence and maintain the appearance of a legitimate business operation, the company allegedly supplied a limited quantity of products in the initial stages.
However, the businessman claims that the nature of the arrangement changed over time. He alleged that he was instructed to facilitate consignments to various cities and participate in multiple financial transactions connected with the business. As the dealings continued, he realized that a substantial amount of money had become stuck in the process.
Victims Meet Financial Defusal And Threats
After reviewing the transactions and outstanding payments, Rai alleged that he had suffered losses amounting to nearly ₹1.7 million. When he sought clarification regarding the payments and demanded the return of his money, the accused allegedly began avoiding him and failed to provide satisfactory explanations. According to the complaint, repeated attempts to recover the amount yielded no results.
The businessman further alleged that the accused eventually refused to repay the money altogether. He claimed that during phone conversations he was told that if he wanted his money back, he would have to travel to Bikaner and settle the matter there. He also accused the suspects of using intimidating language and attempting to pressure him into dropping his demands.
Police Action And Broader Fraud Suspected
In his complaint, Rai suggested that he may not be the only victim of the alleged fraud. He claimed that other traders could have been targeted through a similar modus operandi and urged authorities to conduct a wider investigation into the business network associated with the accused. He believes a detailed probe could uncover additional victims and reveal the full extent of the alleged financial irregularities.
Taking cognizance of the complaint, Jhansi’s Kotwali police registered an FIR against Yatendra Yadav, Sunny Badhwa, Om Singh Purohit, Anshu Puwatia, and Pankaj Anand Srivastava. Investigators are now examining transaction records, bank details, business documents, and other evidence linked to the case.
Police officials said efforts are underway to trace the accused and verify the allegations contained in the complaint. Authorities added that further legal action will be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation. The case has drawn attention within the local business community, where concerns have been raised about fraudulent dealership and distributorship offers targeting aspiring entrepreneurs and traders.
