– A property dealer named Ganpat Paunikar was arrested this week by the Crime Branch from Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly defrauding a woman, Shakuntala Gumgaonkar, of Rs 42 lakh in a property scam. Paunikar, who had fled Nagpur after committing the fraud, was successfully traced and brought back for further investigation.
According to a complaint filed by Shakuntala Gumgaonkar, a retired school employee, she had entered into an agreement with Paunikar for the purchase of a plot in Pimpaldhara, Hingna taluka. Paunikar had shown her a fake power of attorney document from the property’s supposed owner, Kisan Sahajwani, using an imposter to deceive her.
Despite receiving the full payment, Paunikar repeatedly delayed the transfer of the property, offering various excuses. He then attempted to sell her another plot in Salai Godhni, presenting documents that were in his own name. It was at this point that Gumgaonkar realized she had been scammed and filed a formal complaint with the Sakkardara police station.
An offence was registered against Paunikar and his accomplices, leading to the investigation by the Crime Branch. The police tracked Paunikar to Seoni, where he was arrested and brought back to Nagpur for further questioning and legal proceedings.