A senior BJP leader from Chhattisgarh, Santosh Kataria, has allegedly been cheated of Rs41.30 lakh by two individuals who falsely promised to secure him the post of Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation.
As per the FIR filed at Keshkal police station in Kondagaon district, the accused are Kajal Joshi alias Komal Ingule, reportedly from Nagpur and Delhi, and Rajeev Soni, a resident of Chhattisgarh. Both are currently absconding.
Kataria, a veteran party member and former North Bastar district president during the era of undivided Madhya Pradesh, alleged that Joshi claimed to have close ties with top RSS leaders and ministers. She initially demanded Rs3 crore for facilitating the high-level appointment.
Believing her claims, Kataria said he paid:
Rs20 lakh in cash in Delhi
Rs1.3 lakh via QR code
Rs20 lakh in cash at a Raipur hotel, where Joshi was accompanied by Soni
The scam surfaced after Kataria’s name did not appear on the official list of appointments to boards and corporations. Suspicious, he launched his own inquiries and uncovered the fraud. He has since submitted supporting evidence, including mobile numbers and transaction records.
Police registered a case under Sections 3(5) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023. A manhunt is underway to locate the two accused.
The case attracted wider attention after a video of Deputy CM and Home Minister Vijay Sharma circulated online, warning citizens against con artists.
“Anyone asking for money by misusing photos with leaders or promising jobs must be reported immediately. The government will not tolerate such fraud,” Sharma said.
