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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.

Man gets life sentence for killing schoolboy in Kerala

  • PTI
  • May 6, 2025
  • 2 min read


Thiruvananthapuram: A court here on Tuesday sentenced a man to life imprisonment for the shocking murder of a 15-year-old schoolboy in Kattakada in this district, in 2023.



The Thiruvananthapuram Additional Sessions Court-VI Judge Vishnu K found the accused, Priyaranjan, guilty of murder under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code.



The crime took place on August 30, 2023. Adisekhar, a class 10 student and son of Arun Kumar and Deepa, had just finished playing football with friends at the Bhadrakali Temple ground.



As he was about to ride home on his bicycle, Priyaranjan, who was waiting in a parked car, suddenly drove the car into him at high speed.





Prosecutors said the murder was not an accident.



They told the court that Priyaranjan held a grudge against Adisekhar because the boy had once questioned him for urinating on a temple wall.



The attack was described as a planned and cruel act.



The key evidence included CCTV footage from the scene, 30 witness statements, 43 documents, and 11 physical items.



Witnesses included Adisekhar's friends, who were playing football with him at the time.



One of them said he helped take the injured boy to hospital in the same car used in the attack.



Both the bicycle used by Adisekhar and the Mahindra XUV electric car used in the crime were shown in court. Witnesses identified both correctly.



The defence claimed that there was a technical fault in the car and that the crash was accidental.



But, the court rejected this, accepting the prosecution's argument that the act was intentional and that the vehicle was fully functional.



It was also shown that the accused drove the car after the incident, proving control of the vehicle.



The case was investigated by Kattakkada Circle Inspector Shibu, and the charge sheet was filed by the local police.



Special Public Prosecutor V S Vineeth Kumar and Advocate Tony J Sam appeared for the prosecution.

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