Two nabbed for cheating BJP corporator in Fadnavis' name

The Thane Police have nabbed two cheats including a woman, who attempted to lure a BJP corporator with an MLC seat offer for Rs 10 crore, made in the name of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, officials said here on Wednesday.

According to police, following a complaint lodged by Thane Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) corporator Manohar Dumbre, the two accused, Anud R. Shirgaonkar, 29, and Anilkumar S. Bhanushali, 31, were nabbed.

Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime Branch) Makarand Ranade said that a hunt is on to nab the third absconding accused, Abdulla F. Ansari, 24.

Dumbre said that Shirgaonkar met him sometime ago and claimed to be close to Fadnavis.

She later said that through the Chief Minister, Dumbre could get a ticket for the Maharashtra Legislative Council elections scheduled in June-July this year.

The offer was made for a sum of Rs 10 crore to be paid in instalments. The first instalment of Rs 25 lakh immediately, Rs 4.75 crore before the swearing-in and the balance Rs 5 crore later.

On Monday, she informed Dumbre that his biodata was 'approved' by Fadnavis and he must pay the first instalment the following day.

She even made Dumbre 'talk' to Fadnavis in a conference call, with Ansari impersonating in the CM's voice and seeking the advance amount for the MLC seat deal.

Smelling a rat in the entire episode, Dumbre agreed to pay up the amount and immediately contacted the Thane Crime Branch who decided to lay a trap at a meeting venue, Tulsi Hotel on Ghodbunder Road in Thane.

At the meeting, the accused showed him a letter purportedly 'signed' by Fadnavis approving his MLC candidature and collected the amount.

A waiting team of Crime Branch sleuths nabbed them red-handed accepting the amount and arrested them.

The police recovered letters purportedly issued by the National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Vigilance Commission and other central government departments to establish their credentials, which are also being investigated, said Ranade.

--IANS

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