Bengaluru: On duty, cops ran chit fund scam

Bengaluru: Three people joined hands to start a chit business scheme assuring gifts and the sum assured to the beneficiaries. But soon the scheme ran into trouble and the members accused the trio of cheating them to the tune of around Rs 1 lakh. Such cases may be commonplace, but in this particular instance all the offenders happen to be men in khaki! One of them has now retired as assistant sub-inspector attached to Sri Rangapatna police station.

The trio has been charged with cheating and criminal breach of trust by public servant with common intention to cheat. Fearing arrest, the ASI Siddaraju (61) had approached the high court seeking anticipatory bail. The court granted him bail subject to certain conditions.

According to the complainant, the accused had approached the public claiming that they have started chit business under the name Sri Nimishamba Benefit Scheme. In order to become a member, one had to pay Rs 100 per month. If any member failed to win any lottery, a gift worth Rs 1,200 would be given.

The complainant joined the scheme and received 90 cards, which he distributed among his friends and they also started attending the weekly draw. Later they neither got any prize and nor was their amount refunded. Totally it ran to the tune of Rs 1,08,000.

The retired ASI, who had approached sought bail, submitted that the alleged offences, if at all committed, is only against the prime accused. The prosecution had opposed his bail plea stating that accused were police personnel. However the court ruled that since the petitioner was a retired ASI, with movable and immovable properties, he was unlikely to flee from justice and hence granted bail.