Pune: A Pune-based IT engineer, Deepak Dolas, lost nearly Rs14 crore, including his life savings and a home abroad, after being duped by a self-styled godman, Deepak Khadke, and his disciple, Vedika Pandharpurkar.
The duo convinced Dolas that the spirit of Shankar Maharaj, a godman who died in 1947, resided in Vedika’s body and could cure his daughter’s serious congenital illness. Over seven years, they repeatedly assured him that only his unwavering faith and donations could save her.
Driven by desperation, Dolas transferred money from his bank accounts and eventually sold his home and farmhouse in the UK, gradually losing all his assets. The funds, totaling around Rs14 crore, were reportedly transferred into Vedika’s account.
When his daughter’s condition failed to improve, Dolas realized he had been victimized in an elaborate fraud. Investigators found that Vedika allegedly used part of the money to purchase a bungalow in Mahatma Society, a high-end area in Kothrud, Pune.
Authorities are investigating the case and tracking the assets acquired by the accused through the fraudulent scheme.
