Jagdish Singh Patani, the father of popular Bollywood actress Disha Patani, has been allegedly defrauded of Rs 25 lakh by a group of scammers posing as individuals with strong political connections. The scam, which involved a series of false promises regarding a prestigious government position, has raised significant concerns not only due to Patani’s background as a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police but also because of the complexity and scale of the deception. The scam, which took place in Uttar Pradesh, was reported on Friday, with an FIR registered against the five accused individuals.
The accused have been identified as Shivendra Pratap Singh, Diwakar Garg, Acharya Jayaprakash from Juna Akhara, Preeti Garg, and one unidentified person. The fraudsters allegedly took advantage of Patani's trust by promising him a high-ranking post in a government commission, such as chairman or vice-chairman. They claimed to have strong political influence, which was central to their deceptive scheme. The group, having gained Patani's confidence, convinced him to part with Rs 25 lakh to secure the position.
The money was taken in installments: Rs 5 lakh in cash and an additional Rs 20 lakh through bank transfers to three separate accounts. Initially, the accused gave Patani the impression that the process was underway and that his new position was imminent. However, after a few months of no visible progress, Patani began to grow suspicious of their intentions. When he requested the return of his funds, the accused allegedly responded with threats and intimidation, a tactic used to discourage him from pursuing the matter further.
The fraudsters also misled Patani, who introduced an accomplice posing as an "officer on special duty" named Himanshu. This fake officer reinforced the scammers' claims of having high-level political connections and further manipulated Patani into believing that the promised government post was just around the corner. This compounded Patani’s belief in the offer's legitimacy until he realized that he had been thoroughly deceived.
Realizing that he had fallen victim to a large-scale fraud, Patani took action and reported the matter to the police. In response, an FIR was filed, and investigations were launched. The accused individuals are now facing charges of cheating, criminal intimidation, and extortion. However, despite the registration of the FIR, none of the suspects have been arrested so far. The police have assured the public that efforts are being made to locate and apprehend the accused, and they are committed to ensuring that strict legal action is taken against them.
The case has drawn widespread attention, primarily because of Patani's background as a retired officer with significant law enforcement experience. The involvement of individuals with alleged political ties also highlights the sophistication of the scam. This has raised questions about the vulnerability of individuals to such frauds, regardless of their background or experience. Authorities are taking the matter seriously and have promised that the investigation will be thorough.
In addition to the police action, the case has sparked a wider conversation about the prevalence of fraud schemes, especially those involving promises of government jobs or positions. The tactics used by the scammers, including the false claims of political influence and the introduction of a fake official, have been widely condemned. Experts have emphasized the importance of vigilance and skepticism when faced with offers that seem too good to be true, particularly when large sums of money are involved.
As the investigation continues, Patani’s case serves as a reminder of the potential dangers posed by scammers who exploit trust and greed to deceive their victims. The authorities have urged the public to report any similar incidents of fraud and to exercise caution when approached with such promises.
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