Durg-Bhilai: A former woman police constable dismissed from service has been arrested again in an alleged cheating case. Monika Gupta, also known as Monika Soni, has been accused of taking ₹5.42 lakh from a woman after promising to secure her a laboratory operator’s job. When the promised job did not materialise, the victim allegedly sought a refund, but Gupta allegedly continued to delay repayment. Pulgaon police also arrested Israr Khan in connection with the case. Both were produced before a court and sent to jail.
Kiran Chandrakar, a resident of Chandkhuri village, told police that her husband knew Israr Khan. Israr allegedly claimed to have contacts with senior officials and promised to secure Kiran a job in the Home Guard. He allegedly took ₹6.30 lakh from her for the promised job. He later returned ₹50,000 but failed to arrange the appointment.
When Kiran demanded the remaining amount, Israr allegedly told her that he would no longer be able to arrange the job. He then introduced her to Monika Gupta, claiming that she had strong contacts with officials and could help secure employment.
Gupta allegedly assured Kiran that she could arrange a laboratory operator’s position for her. She also allegedly promised to get Kiran transferred to Durg city after her appointment. Trusting these assurances, Kiran paid Gupta a total of ₹5.42 lakh. Of this, ₹5.12 lakh was transferred online and ₹30,000 was paid in cash.
After receiving the money, Gupta allegedly began delaying the promised appointment. When considerable time passed without the job being arranged, Kiran asked for her money back. She alleged that instead of returning the amount, Gupta continued to give assurances and postpone repayment. Kiran eventually approached Pulgaon police and lodged a complaint.
Police registered a case and began investigating the allegations and financial transactions. During the investigation, the police team arrested Gupta. After Israr Khan’s alleged role emerged, he was also arrested. Both accused were produced before the court and subsequently sent to jail.
Gupta had previously been involved in controversies during her service in the police department. She joined as a police constable and later served as a head constable before being dismissed following departmental action.
A cheating case related to a job promise had also been registered against Gupta earlier. In August 2024, a complaint at Chhawani police station resulted in a case against her over allegations of taking money on the promise of securing employment. Following the cases and departmental proceedings, she was dismissed from police service in 2025.
Around seven months ago, Gupta was also accused in another case of failing to deposit gold recovered during a theft investigation in the police station property room. The case was connected to a theft reported in Durg’s Scindia Nagar in 2022. Police had recovered around 79 grams, or approximately eight tolas, of gold jewellery and a gold coin from a theft suspect. Gupta was accused of allegedly keeping the recovered gold instead of depositing it in the official property room.
The matter came to light when the victim later reached the police station with a court order to collect her jewellery. She was allegedly informed that the recovered items had not been deposited in the property room. A case was subsequently registered against Gupta under provisions related to concealment of evidence and criminal breach of trust.
According to police, Gupta remained absconding for some time before being arrested on February 2, 2026. She was around nine months pregnant at the time of her arrest and gave birth to a son at a district hospital on February 10, 2026.
Following the latest arrest over the alleged collection of ₹5.42 lakh in the name of securing a job, police are investigating the roles of Gupta and Israr Khan. Investigators are also checking whether the two may have similarly approached other people with promises of employment and collected money from them. Police are examining financial transactions, contacts and other complaints to determine the extent of the alleged network.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
