Bengaluru police have begun investigating two alleged fraud cases in which victims were promised government jobs and postgraduate medical seats, with a reported total loss of ₹2.35 crore. The cases have been registered with the Central Crime Branch after complaints linked the accused to threats, forged documents and demands for large cash and online payments.
In one case, a group allegedly collected ₹1.12 crore from Abdul Razak and his relatives by promising computer operator, First Division Assistant and Second Division Assistant positions in government departments. The accused allegedly claimed they could arrange posts at Lok Bhavan and the Health Department.
According to the report, an initial payment of ₹50,000 was made near M.S. Building. Further payments were allegedly collected in stages through cash and online transfers. When the promised jobs did not materialise, the complainants sought a refund. The accused allegedly threatened Abdul Razak and others, prompting the complaint.
The CCB has registered a case under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita against Rajendra Prasad, Vitthal Mugur, Pramod, Siddiah and Puttamadayya. The report said the complainants were introduced to the group through a person named Prakash. Abdul Razak had also approached Home Minister Priyank Kharge, following which the minister and the Additional Commissioner of Police directed the CCB to register a first information report and investigate.
The second case involves a 53-year-old businessman from Indiranagar whose daughter had completed her MBBS at JJM Medical College in Davangere and was seeking a postgraduate seat in dermatology. The complainant allegedly met Nikhil Saraf and Dev Batija at a cafe on Mahatma Gandhi Road. They allegedly promised to arrange a seat at institutions including Vydehi, Ambedkar, Father Muller and St John’s medical colleges.
The accused allegedly created documents resembling an allotment under the non-resident Indian quota and collected ₹1.23 crore through cash and online payments, according to the report. The case also includes an allegation that Nikhil Saraf and Dev Batija had earlier taken ₹10 lakh to reserve 75 hotel rooms for the complainant’s daughter’s wedding. Only ₹1.20 lakh was allegedly paid to the hotel, while the remaining amount was not settled.
The report said Nikhil Saraf, Dev Batija, Sudhir Saraf, Danny Gowda and Prakruthi Reddy allegedly acted together in promising the medical seat. Police sources said the preliminary investigation had indicated fraud, while the CCB continues to examine the transactions, documents and roles of those named in the complaints.
A police official cited in the report said people who have faced similar promises of medical seats could approach the CCB. The investigation will determine whether the accused made similar approaches to other medical-seat aspirants and government-job applicants in Bengaluru.
