Two absconding after duping businessman of Rs 50 lakh on promise of CM fund grants

Speaking to DH, the victim said Harish(accused) — who introduced himself as an active RSS worker and BJP president of Kottigepalya Ward — befriended him in October last year while organising local events.

Bengaluru: A city-based businessman has filed a cheating complaint after being duped of Rs 50 lakh by two men, who promised to secure grants under the chief minister’s special funds.

The complaint, filed at Annapoorneshwari Nagar police station, said the accused — identified as Harish and Sandeep — took ₹50 lakh as “commission” after assuring the victim that they would secure ₹5 crore in grants for civic works in his locality.

A senior police officer said that the victim is a resident of Nagarabhavi. He had met Harish in 2024. Harish allegedly claimed that he had close access to senior government officials through Sandeep, who works as a personal assistant to the principal secretary. They demanded 10% commission to process and release the grants. An FIR has been registered against Harish and Sandeep, who are currently absconding.

Further inquiry revealed that the accused had used a hired vehicle fitted with fake number plates to mislead him.

Speaking to DH, the victim said Harish — who introduced himself as an active RSS worker and BJP president of Kottigepalya Ward — befriended him in October last year while organising local events. 

“I had seen his posters in the area for a few months. He visited my house and convinced me that he could secure the CM’s special funds for development works in our area. Later Sandeep joined in and they shared some documents and convinced me of the grants. I first paid Rs 25 lakh as advance amount at his residence. A few days later, Harish and Sandeep arrived in what appeared to be a government vehicle and collected the remaining amount at Wilson Garden bus depot.”

Soon, Harish began avoiding him. Suspicious, he approached the RDPR officials to verify the documents and was shocked to learn that the documents were fake.