An editor of a local weekly newspaper was arrested for allegedly cheating a 51-year-old woman, promising to get her son into a reputed college.
Sheela Verma (51) alleged that Ashok Jha (40), editor of Dainik Lokprerna, had taken Rs 2.35 lakh for her son Siddhesh’s (17) admission.
Verma filed a complaint at the Kopri police station in Thane (East) and Jha was arrested on Wednesday.
“My son got 72 per cent in Class 10 examination. He wanted to do a diploma in computer engineering,” said Verma. “But he was not getting admission anywhere. So, I went to Jha for help.”
The police said Verma met Jha during the first anniversary function of his newspaper in July 2008.
“He promised to help us and called us in August. He introduced us to one Dr Babur, allegedly a trustee of D.Y. Patil College,” she said.
“He asked us to pay Rs 60,000 as the admissions had closed and we could get admission only through the management quota.”
Since then Verma has been borrowing money to pay Jha.
But till December 2008, when her son still did not get admission, she demanded her money back. Jha gave her cheques, but they bounced. Assistant Police Inspector R.B. Vaidya said Jha has cheated four other people either promising them a job or college admission.
{{/usCountry}}But till December 2008, when her son still did not get admission, she demanded her money back. Jha gave her cheques, but they bounced. Assistant Police Inspector R.B. Vaidya said Jha has cheated four other people either promising them a job or college admission.
{{/usCountry}}Jha has been remanded to police custody till June 23.