A government job for Rs 3.5 lakh. That is what tempted a Balongi resident to allegedly pay Rs 4.2 lakh as advance for the recruitment of his three nephews in the railways under a non-existent "VIP quota".
In his complaint, Balongi resident RS Bhardwaj has alleged that his nephews even underwent a medical examination, handed over appointment letters before they came to know of the fraud when they reported for duty at Bhopal.
Bhardwaj, a businessman, in his complaint has alleged that Rajesh, an auto-rickshaw driver who lives in Balongi, introduced him to one Shakir, hailing from Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, in October 2012. Shakir was staying in Kumbra at that time.
"Shakir told me that the personal assistant (PA) to the secretary in Madhya Pradesh railway board was his friend and he helped people get jobs in the railways," Bhardwaj said.
Bhardwaj said that Shakir had claimed that he had already got two youths earlier recruited as ticket collectors (TC) in the railways through the "VIP quota". "To convince me, he even made me talk to two youths, Ajay Kumar and Suraj Pal, on the phone," he said.
Shakir then reportedly arranged Bhardwaj's meeting at Baroda House in New Delhi with a person who claimed to be the PA to the secretary. "During the meeting, I was assured that my nephews would be recruited as TCs if I paid Rs 3.5 lakh per person," Bhardwaj said.
{{/usCountry}}Shakir then reportedly arranged Bhardwaj's meeting at Baroda House in New Delhi with a person who claimed to be the PA to the secretary. "During the meeting, I was assured that my nephews would be recruited as TCs if I paid Rs 3.5 lakh per person," Bhardwaj said.
{{/usCountry}}"I paid Rs 4.2 lakh as advance to complete formalities like preparing my nephews files, their medical tests and getting signatures of officials. My nephews were called to Jhansi where their medical examination was also conducted. They were given appointment letters after that."
Bhardwaj alleged that he came to know of the fraud only when his nephews reported for duty. "They were told that the appointment letter was handed over to them were fake," Bhardwaj said.
On learning about the fraud, Bhardwaj went to meet Shakir at his house in Bareilly on November 25, 2012, but found its door locked. Though Shakir later assured Bhardwaj that he would refund the money, nothing happened. "After that I approached the police," he said. "We have received the complaint which has been forwarded to the economic offences wing for investigation. Action will be taken as per the law," said Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, SAS Nagar senior superintendent of police, when contacted.