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By:

Rajendra Joshi

3 December 2024 at 3:50:26 am

Kolhapur cop sets new standard for investigations

Yogesh Kumar Gupta Kolhapur: When a police officer takes genuine interest in securing justice for citizens duped in financial fraud, investigations can move swiftly enough to lift the crushing burden off affected families. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta has demonstrated precisely that. His firm and sensitive handling of a cheating case ensured relief for Akshay Deepak Dhale, a young entrepreneur from Kolhapur who had fallen prey to a Rajkot-based company that allegedly...

Kolhapur cop sets new standard for investigations

Yogesh Kumar Gupta Kolhapur: When a police officer takes genuine interest in securing justice for citizens duped in financial fraud, investigations can move swiftly enough to lift the crushing burden off affected families. Kolhapur Superintendent of Police Yogesh Kumar Gupta has demonstrated precisely that. His firm and sensitive handling of a cheating case ensured relief for Akshay Deepak Dhale, a young entrepreneur from Kolhapur who had fallen prey to a Rajkot-based company that allegedly promised to secure large government loans for business expansion. Gupta’s intervention compelled company representatives to travel to Kolhapur and assure repayment of the money collected, effectively forcing them onto the back foot. Dhale, a resident of Sadar Bazaar, had dreamt of expanding his late father’s small printing business after losing him during the Covid-19 pandemic. Lured by promises of securing a multi-crore loan under a Central government scheme, he transferred ₹69 lakh — raised from nearly 15 friends and relatives — to the company’s account. The loan, however, never materialised. When Dhale began making inquiries, he was met with evasive responses. The financial shock left the family devastated. Initial attempts to seek police help reportedly went nowhere, with the matter labelled as “non-criminal” and dismissed at the preliminary stage. Acting on advice, the family approached the district police chief directly. Gupta’s decisive stand altered the course of the case, leading to concrete assurances of refund from the company. However, a far larger challenge now looms before the Kolhapur police chief. Across Kolhapur — and reportedly other parts of Maharashtra — several Marathi youths claim to have been duped by a Morbi-based businessman who allegedly promises to set up “innovative” enterprises for aspiring entrepreneurs. The scale of the alleged fraud runs into crores of rupees. The businessman, said to be linked to a major tile industry in Morbi, is accused of luring youngsters through social media promotions and advertorials in prominent English dailies. Contracts are structured to appear transparent and legitimate. Prospective entrepreneurs are promised exclusive access to novel business models, often involving products sourced from Chinese markets, complete with projected marketing strategies and attractive feature lists. According to victims, payments are collected upfront, but the products eventually supplied lack the promised specifications and hold negligible market value. Several youths across Maharashtra are believed to have suffered losses. Those who have confronted the accused allege they were threatened with defamation suits and warned that a team of “expert lawyers” would ensure their financial and reputational ruin if complaints were filed. While some victims have resigned themselves to debt and despair, others who attempted to pursue police complaints claim they were turned away. For many of these young entrepreneurs, SP Yogesh Kumar Gupta represents a ray of hope. If he chooses to take up the matter with the same resolve demonstrated earlier, it could not only restore faith among affected youths but also send a strong deterrent message to fraudsters operating under the guise of innovation-driven enterprise.

Above Glam Quotient

Pranati Shinde

Solapur MP Pranati Shinde proved that she is about some realpolitik when she declared open support to an independent candidate in the Solapur South assembly constituency after the polling began today. While the MVA constituent Shiv Sena (UBT) had fielded Amar Patil from the seat, Shinde lent support to independent candidate Dharmaraj Kadadi causing panic in the ally Shiv Sena (UBT) camp.


Born on December 9, 1980, in Solapur, Maharashtra, Praniti is the daughter of veteran Congress leader and former Union Home Minister Sushilkumar Shinde. Praniti has carved out her own political path, distinct from her father’s legacy.


Praniti’s educational background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree from St. Xavier’s College, Mumbai, and a law degree from Government Law College, Mumbai.


Her early exposure to politics and social work, coupled with her academic achievements, laid a strong foundation for her political career. She began her political career at the age of 29, when she was elected as a Member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly (MLA) from the Solapur City Central constituency in 2009. Her oratory and interpersonal skills while dealing with party workers helped her sail through the Modi wave and she reached Maharashtra assembly in 204 as well as 2019 from the constituency.


Praniti’s political acumen and dedication were further recognized when she was elected as a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Solapur Lok Sabha constituency in 2024. This victory marked a significant milestone in her career, as she became the first woman MP from Solapur. Her election campaign was noted for its emphasis on grassroots engagement and addressing local issues, which resonated with the electorate.


The fact that she was an MLA for 15 years demonstrates her consistent popularity and effectiveness as a legislator. During her tenure, she focused on issues such as women’s empowerment, education, and social justice, leveraging her platform to advocate for the underprivileged. In 2021, Praniti was appointed as the Working President of the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee, a role that significantly elevated her profile within the party. She also served as the Chairperson of the Scheduled Castes Welfare Committee of the Maharashtra Legislature, where she worked tirelessly to address the concerns of marginalized communities.


Initially, when she was given responsibility of the youth wing of the party, it wasn’t taken seriously and brushed off as an additional of some glam quotient in the youth wing. However, the way she criticized and took on the opposition, her detractors soon realized that she is not just about glam quotient by is about some realpolitik.

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