Armyman booked for duping clergy

Delhi Police have arrested a retired army personnel who allegedly tried to cheat clergymen in Delhi churches.

Delhi Police have arrested a retired army personnel who allegedly tried to cheat clergymen in Delhi churches.

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“The accused, identified as Madan Lal Gupta (50), went to a Punjabi Bagh church and introduced himself as a constable of the Indian Army. He claimed that his senior officer, a Brigadier, had been blessed with a girl child after 25 years and so, wanted to donate 165 blankets, Rs 70,000 cash and other items to the poor through the church,” said V Renganathan, additional CP (west) said.

“Gupta further said he wanted to get these items in a tempo and requested the priest for Rs 3,000 to hire the tempo. Meanwhile, another clergyman, Father Mathew, recognised Gupta as the same person who had cheated another priest two years ago,” Renganathan added.

The priests then informed the police and Gupta was arrested.

Police said despite having retired 15 years ago, Gupta went to the church wearing his Army uniform. He had worked as a cook in the Indian Army and draws a pension of Rs 12,000 per month.

“During his tenure in the Army, Gupta visited many churches and noticed the benevolent attitude of priests towards the poor. He had exploited their sympathy by making up all kinds of stories on many occasions earlier,” Renganathan added.