In a troubling case, Sachitha Rai, a leader of the Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI) and a school teacher, has been booked by Kumble Police for allegedly orchestrating a scam that promised central government jobs. Rai, recognized for her oratory skills and vocal criticism of BJP-RSS ideology, stands accused of defrauding a young woman by collecting Rs 15 lakh under the guise of securing her a clerk position at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), a unit of the Union Ministry of Agriculture.
The police report charges Rai under Section 420 of the IPC (cheating), indicating she may have amassed approximately Rs 2 crore from various job aspirants. It’s reported that she transferred Rs 72 lakh to a contact in Karnataka, allegedly to facilitate the promised job placements. Investigators are probing potential connections between this contact and the BJP.
The DYFI clarified that Rai had been removed from its Kasargod district committee just ten days prior to the allegations. According to DYFI district joint secretary Sivaprasad A V, her removal was unrelated to the ongoing investigation, stemming instead from her relocation to Kozhikode after her marriage and maternity leave.
The case against Rai originated from a complaint by 24-year-old Nishmitha Shetty, who transferred Rs 15.05 lakh to Rai in several transactions between May 31 and August 23, 2023. Shetty learned about Rai through another job seeker and was lured by promises of employment at CPCRI. Despite Rai’s apparent wealth, Shetty had to borrow money from her husband and pawn her jewelry, not anticipating deceit from a teacher.
After numerous failed attempts to recover her money, Shetty reported the matter to Kumble Police, revealing that Rai had allegedly duped another individual by promising a teaching position at the Central University of Kerala. Authorities expect more complaints against Rai to emerge.
Hailing from Sheni in Enmakaje grama panchayat, Rai comes from a family with deep ties to the CPM. Her father is a notable speaker at party events. Previously, she worked as an ad hoc teacher at Govt HSS Angadimogar before securing a permanent role at an aided lower-primary school in Badoor under Puthige grama panchayat. Despite being on maternity leave following the birth of her child two months ago, Rai remains active in party affairs, as noted by Anitha M, a Puthige panchayat member from Badoor ward.
