Police laxity proved to be a boon for scam mastermind

The Citibank fraud mastermind, Shivraj Puri had made best use of the laxity of the police and destroyed many crucial evidences.

According to investigators, he had enough time to plan his strategies as the police tightened the noose around him much late.

Although Citibank officials had filed a complaint against Puri at DLF City (Phase 2) police station on December 4, the police filed the FIR on December 27 and subsequently arrested the accused on December 29.

“He got a whale of time to destroy the proofs. Puri had

not only damaged his iPad

but withdrew money from his 10 accounts (leaving behind

just R3.85 crore) in the first

week of December and sold some of his properties,” said a police officer.

According to sources, Puri also had started consulting lawyers for applying for the anticipatory bail from December 5 when he came to know about the Citibank move.

"Puri is a shrewd person who had surrendered in the court after being tutored at length by his lawyers. He could easily recollect all major transactions," said an investigating official.

According to a Gurgaon-based developer, Puri had sold off a Rs 1-crore property he had purchased from the developer in mid-December.

He had made an initial investment of R25 lakh. The rest was to be paid in installments.

He got in touch with some lawyers after the bank filed the complaint.

According to sources, Puri wanted to apply for an anticipatory bail.

However, lawyers told him not to do so as the court was unlikely to entertain his plea.