Panchkula: 2 held for duping ex-servicemen of ₹2.5 crore in investment fraud
In the first case, police arrested Harjot Singh, alias Samar, from Ludhiana as the second accused in a case involving the duping of a 80-year-old retired army colonel of ₹2.34 crore. The colonel was contacted on WhatsApp and promised high returns. Harjot, who also faces cyber fraud charges in Gurugram and Ludhiana, was arrested on Tuesday and sent to a two-day police remand. Another accused, Govind Singh Randhawa, had been arrested earlier.
In the second case, police arrested Mahendra Chaudhary for swindling a 60-year-old retired Indian Air Force sergeant of ₹31.05 lakh. According to the complaint, the victim was similarly lured into a WhatsApp group by an individual posing as a stock market teacher, who promised him quick profits. The accused was produced in court on Thursday and remanded to six-day police custody.
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Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Clerks, helpers, SPOs & gunmen in MCG's new surveillance team to check illegal waste dumping
Gurgaon: MCG commissioner Pradeep Dahiya on Friday deployed four member teams of gunmen, clerks, helpers and special police officers (SPOs) for surveillance of the illegal dumping of construction and demolition (C&D) waste and solid waste across the city. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The teams will monitor waste dumping round-the-clock in the city and will work as part of the sanitation security force (SSF). These teams will work in three shifts – the first from 8am to 4pm, second from 4pm to 12am, and third from 12am to 8am. "They will ensure that nobody dumps C&D waste and garbage illegally in the city," an order issued by MCG commissioner read, adding that teams should send geo-tagged photos, videos of vehicles unloading the waste and photos of those vehicles on WhatsApp groups formed for the same. "They are to ensure coordination with police and also make sure that the vehicles seized are impounded with police and further legal action is taken," read the order. Dahiya told TOI, "We have deployed teams of gunmen, who are ex-servicemen, along with helpers and SPOs. Our teams often face threats while monitoring dumping activities at night, so this measure is both preventive and for their safety. The aim is to ensure uninterrupted monitoring and to put a stop to illegal dumping. With this kind of surveillance, we expect to see noticeable improvements within a week ." The campaign is currently focused on areas such as Gurgaon–Faridabad Road, Sector 29, Southern Peripheral Road (SPR), and the Auto Market. Civic teams have been instructed to ensure that all construction debris is cleared promptly and disposed of as per guidelines. Officials said strict action will be taken against violators, including the seizure of vehicles, imposition of fines, and filing of FIRs. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Dahiya added that surveillance will be further strengthened in the coming week. "Some of the waste collection agencies hired by bulk waste generators (BWGs) are dumping waste at garbage-vulnerable points. We plan to inspect each of these sites, document violations with video evidence, and take legal action wherever needed," he said. Officials noted that the corporation is working to eliminate garbage-vulnerable points from city roads and public areas. "In addition to clearing these sites, we'll take action against those responsible for dumping. Any negligence or obstruction in waste management efforts will not be tolerated," they said.
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Delhi: 6 killed in wall collapse near Humayun's Tomb, 5 injured
At least six people were crushed to death and five others injured after two adjoining rooms of a dargah collapsed in southeast Delhi's Nizamuddin East on Friday afternoon. The shrine, known locally as Dargah Shareef Patte Waale, stands adjacent to the Humayun's Tomb complex in south Delhi. NDRF, Delhi Police, and local administration personnel carry out rescue operations near Humayun's Tomb on Friday. (HT Photo) The incident occurred around 3.55pm after heavy rains weakened the structure of the shrine, causing the roof and back wall of the rooms to cave in, according to police and fire officials. Around a dozen devotees were under debris, as the shrine was packed due to it being a holiday on account of Independence Day, according to eyewitnesses and rescue officials. Locals said that one of the rooms of the structure served as a waiting area for visitors seeking blessings and a tabeez (religious amulet) from the imam, who was in the adjacent chamber. Deputy commissioner of police (Southeast) Hemant Tiwari said the shrine is located just outside the Humayun's Tomb boundary wall. 'We received a PCR call at 3.55pm reporting a wall collapse in which people were trapped inside. The SHO and staff reached immediately, launching rescue efforts alongside local volunteers,' he said. By 5pm, locals and shrine staff had managed to pull out several injured persons, though others remained buried under heavy debris. Police sealed the area — including parts of the Humayun's Tomb compound — and allowed entry only to civic agencies and rescue teams. Delhi Fire Services (DFS) deployed four fire tenders, while National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) personnel joined the manual clearing of rubble. In total, 11 people were rescued within two hours. Nine were rushed to AIIMS Trauma Centre — three men, five women, and a four-year-old boy — while one was sent to Lok Nayak Hospital and another to RML Hospital. Six victims succumbed to injuries; three of them were women. 'All I could hear were screams' Some locals alleged that fire services arrived 45-50 minutes late, delaying rescue. 'I had just entered the dargah. Everyone comes here to get the tabeez and meet the imam. My son was not feeling well and I wanted blessings. I saw it happen before my eyes. It was raining heavily. The roof collapsed first, then a wall. There was no escape route. All I could hear was screams. It could have been me…' said Geeta Kumar, who had entered the dargah moments before the collapse. DFS divisional officer Mukesh Verma, however, countered that his team reached in about 30 minutes, but faced challenges bringing vehicles close to the site. 'The ceiling fell inward, trapping everyone. We also had to clear debris manually,' he said. The back wall of the shrine was left in ruins after the collapse. Caretakers and locals worked frantically to extract those inside. HT tried speaking to the caretaker of the dargah, but he refused comment. Families distraught At AIIMS Trauma Centre, distraught families crowded corridors, searching for loved ones without knowing if they were alive. Mohammad Moin, 32, of Zakir Nagar, died in the collapse. A father of two, he had gone to the dargah seeking blessings for health issues. 'I reached by 4.45pm and saw no fire services, only a few policemen. I was shouting my brother's name but felt completely helpless. Then I rushed to AIIMS, where I was told he had died,' said his brother Wasim. His friend Nadeem, who remained outside because the room was crowded, told HT that he could 'only hear screams' after the roof caved in. Two other victims, Meena Arora, 56, and Monu Shah Arora, 24, died from suffocation and head injuries, fire officials said. Another woman, Anita Saini of Bhogal, had gone alone to the shrine amid family difficulties. Her elder son, Shivang, said she left without telling him. 'We had a lot of issues in the family, and she believed the imam's tabeez and blessings could help. My father also died during the pandemic. I don't know how my brother and I will manage now… She meant everything to us' Seventy-nine-year-old Swaroop Chand and his wife Rani had visited the shrine for blessings. Chand died in the collapse; Rani is under treatment at RML Hospital. Around 8pm, their family members entered AIIMS Trauma Centre and started looking for Chand and his wife. 'They left in the afternoon saying they'd return in an hour. I never imagined this,' said their son Harish. Rafat Parveen, another devotee, survived but suffered multiple injuries and breathing difficulties. Her husband, Aashiq, who was outside when the collapse happened, dragged locals to help free her after 30 minutes. 'We both went to the dargah together. I was standing outside and taking water while she was sitting inside. It all happened in seconds,' he said. History and structure Locals say the Patte Waale Dargah is over a century old. Historians note the shrine is linked in oral tradition to the Sufi saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, though its current structures – including the prayer and waiting rooms that collapsed on Friday – are estimated to be 60-80 years old. Sohail Hashmi, an author and chronicler of Delhi, said the saint known as Patte Shah is mentioned in Sufis of Delhi and was believed to be a contemporary of Nizamuddin. 'His last rites are said to have been performed by Nizamuddin himself,' he noted. An Archaeological Survey of India official confirmed the dargah is outside the ASI-protected area of Humayun's Tomb. ASI later said the Humayun's Tomb, part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is in 'perfect condition', and clarified that reports about the collapse does not pertain to the monument. Police have launched an inquiry into the collapse, questioning the shrine's caretakers and examining structural safety. 'We will look at whether repairs were needed, and if permissions or inspections had been conducted,' DCP Tiwari said. By nightfall, the debris was being cleared under floodlights, while families of victims waited outside hospitals for word on survivors.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Retired govt employee, brother lose Rs 4.4 cr in stock trading scam
Hyderabad: A 61-year-old retired govt employee and his 58-year-old brother were duped of 4.48 crore by fraudsters operating a fake stock trading portal. According to officials, the retired govt employee, a resident of Kothapet, clicked on a YouTube advertisement link about a stock marketing investment platform. Within hours of clicking the link, the victim began receiving WhatsApp messages and voice calls from individuals posing as Rajiv Mehta and his associates, Sana Kapoor and Krithika Joshi. The trio allegedly promised one month of VIP trading with zero commission for anyone who voted daily for Mehta in a purported 'World Finance Challenge' that carried an $8 million prize, which, they claimed, would be shared among supporters. You Can Also Check: Hyderabad AQI | Weather in Hyderabad | Bank Holidays in Hyderabad | Public Holidays in Hyderabad | Gold Rates Today in Hyderabad | Silver Rates Today in Hyderabad Lured by screenshots showing soaring returns and offers of free access to initial public offerings, the siblings allowed Krithika Joshi to open a trading account for them on the 'portal'. As per their advice, between June 24 and Aug 2, the victims transferred 4.48 crore in 23 transactions from their three bank accounts to multiple accounts provided by the accused. On Aug 2, when the balance on their account was displayed as 39 crore, the brothers decided to withdraw 2 crore to clear housing loan. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Brain tumor has left my son feeling miserable; please help! Donate For Health Donate Now Undo However, the fraudsters demanded 3.5 crore as 'performance fee', contradicting their earlier promises of zero commission. Suspecting foul play, the brothers travelled to Bengaluru on Aug 6, where the original stock trading company's head office was located. "The company staff in Bengaluru informed us that the platform we used was fake, closely mimicking their company's URL. The fraudsters had even used the name of one of their former employee. After returning to Hyderabad, my brother suffered a stress-induced heart attack and was hospitalised for four days," said the 58-year-old in his police complaint. The victims filed an online complaint and submitted supporting bank statements, chat logs, and screen captures to TGCSB on Aug 14. An FIR was registered under Section 66D of the IT Act and Sections 318(4), 319(2), and 338 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Happy Krishna Janmashtami Wishes ,, messages , and quotes !
