Businessman duped of Rs. 3 crore in Delhi

A businessman from the mining region of Bellary in Karnataka has lodged a complaint with Delhi police, alleging that he was duped of Rs. 3 crore by four men.

A businessman from the mining region of Bellary in Karnataka has lodged a complaint with Delhi police, alleging that he was duped of Rs. 3 crore by four men.

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In his complaint to the police, Suresh Solanki has alleged that recently a 'friend' introduced him to three men who claimed they can get him a mining permit through a cabinet minister. According to Supreme Court order, mining is banned in Bellary.

"During his visit to Delhi, Solanki had stayed at a five-star hotel and had met all the four accused at a coffee shop at Constitution Club. They apparently took him to a minister's house in Delhi but made him wait outside while they went in," said a senior police officer. The accused then reportedly told Solanki that the minister had agreed to "settle the matter" for Rs. 5 crore.

Solanki said he initially paid them Rs. 1.8 crore and said the accused men told him to contact them after a week. But when he got no response from them, Solanki returned to Delhi after 15 days.

"He again met them at a coffee shop in Khan Market. They demanded more money from him and once again took him to a minister's house, where he was once again made to wait outside,” the officer added.

The victim told the police that once again he paid them Rs. 75 lakh and also bore their expense of stay at a five-star hotel. But even after that he did not get any mining clearance, he started questioning the men.

He alleged that the men threatened him and said they had "close links with Dawood Ibrahim". They threatened to eliminate him and his family, he said in his complaint.

A case of cheating has been registered at the Parliament street police station and the police said they had identified the four men, including the victim's 'friend'.

"We are not sure yet whether the accused actually used to meet the minister after gaining entry. The victim is not even sure about the minister's name. We will question the accused and get more details about this case," a senior police officer said.