Latest news with #Sunita
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Woman gets life term for killing child, 5, leaving body on rly tracks
Agra: A Firozabad court sentenced a 40-year-old woman to life in jail for strangling her 5-year-old daughter and leaving the body on railway tracks in 2019. Sunita Kumari had been living separately from her husband with her youngest daughter, Neha, at the time of the incident. Police said she murdered the girl following frequent disputes with her sister's husband, with whom she was in a relationship. He was allegedly hostile towards the child and objected to her presence. Assistant district govt counsel (ADGC) Narayan Saxena said the case dates back to April 23, 2019, when Vishnu Sharma, an ice supplier at the railway station, found Neha Kumari's body near the tracks and alerted police. A postmortem was conducted, and a case under section 302 (murder) of IPC was registered at the GRP station in Firozabad. "The body was sent for a postmortem and an FIR was registered under section 302 (murder) of the IPC at the GRP station in Firozabad," Saxena told TOI. Sunita was arrested the same day. During the investigation, police recovered the clothes used to strangle the girl and stones with her blood stains. Probe found that Sunita, who had been married to Rajesh Kumar for 16 years and had three children with him, was living alone with Neha after separating from her husband. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo Her two elder children stayed with their father. "In 2017, Sunita began an illicit relationship with her sister's husband, who was allegedly hostile towards Neha and frequently fought with her over the issue. To end the conflict, Sunita murdered her daughter," Saxena said. During the proceedings, Sunita pleaded for minimum punishment citing her economic background and clean record. However, additional sessions judge Jitendra Gupta dismissed the plea and on Monday sentenced her to life imprisonment. He also imposed a fine of Rs 50,000, stating that failure to pay it would lead to an additional year in jail.
News18
3 days ago
- Business
- News18
When Bollywood Glitz Meets Fraud: How The Mukherjees Orchestrated A $4 Million Scam In Texas
Sidhartha Mukherjee and Sunita presented what appeared to be ironclad contracts, including forged invoices and signatures—claiming fictitious deals with Dallas Housing Authority In the upscale neighbourhoods of Plano, Texas, Sidhartha 'Sammy" Mukherjee and his wife Sunita stood out as the epitome of glamour in the local Indian-American community. Known for their Bollywood-style performances and high-society charity galas, the couple built a glittering reputation that dazzled hundreds—including those who would soon become their victims and be defrauded of more than $4 million. According to CBS News Texas, the Mukherjees' scheme hinged on their ability to win the trust of their victims. 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople. But they will take every single penny you have," said Terry Parvaga, a local resident who lost her entire $400,000 retirement nest egg to the Mukherjees' promises of high returns through real estate investments. Their reputation was strengthened by appearances at community events and well-publicised fundraisers. A Times of India report said the couple would captivate audiences with Bollywood performances, creating an aura of credibility and class that made even the most skeptical attendees drop their guard. It was at these very gatherings, surrounded by the trappings of success and social proof, that the Mukherjees would pitch their can't-miss investment opportunities. One of the victims, while speaking to the media, said: 'He was so persuasive, so convincing. And he made you feel like you were part of something big." The Mukherjees' ruse was elaborate. They presented investors with what appeared to be ironclad contracts and official documents, including forged invoices and signatures—even claiming fictitious deals with the Dallas Housing Authority, Hindustan Times reported. A victim group led by Seshu Madabushi said they had 'no reason" to doubt him. 'He looked successful, showed us all the paperwork, gave us regular updates, and even introduced us to other investors." The group collectively contributed over $128,000 to what turned out to be a non-existent real estate project named Roseland Estates. At first, everything seemed above board. Early investors even received supposed 'returns", paid out with money from newer victims—a classic Ponzi move. But as more and more people joined in and the payouts began to lag, suspicions grew. The Mukherjees reportedly continued to smooth over doubts with excuses, glitzy parties, and promises of even bigger projects in the pipeline. However, the façade began to crumble when the case caught the attention of Euless Police Detective Brian Brennan. The Financial Express reported that Brennan described Sammy Mukherjee as 'probably the most prolific fraudster I've seen—tentacles stretching in every direction". Initially, the cases were chalked up to civil disputes. Still, as the gravity of the scam became apparent—with total losses exceeding $4 million and more than 100 victims—local police worked with the FBI to unravel the elaborate scheme, FE added. The Mukherjees were finally arrested in June 2025 and held in an immigration detention facility. They now face serious charges, including first-degree felony theft, with authorities labeling the operation as one of the 'largest and most elaborate" frauds to hit the region in recent years, CBS News Texas said. For Plano's Indian-American community and the many victims who trusted the Mukherjees, the fallout has been painful and sobering. 'I still can't believe it," said one investor. 'We all wanted to believe in their dream. We never saw the nightmare coming." view comments First Published: July 21, 2025, 12:13 IST News world When Bollywood Glitz Meets Fraud: How The Mukherjees Orchestrated A $4 Million Scam In Texas Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Hindustan Times
Indian couple in Texas charged in $4M scam. How the Mukherjees duped over 100 people
A well-known Indian-origin couple in North Texas, celebrated for their glamorous public appearances and Bollywood-style performances, has been arrested in connection with a multimillion-dollar real estate fraud case. Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and Sunita, Indian couple in Texas famous for 'Bollywood-style performance' accused of multimillion-dollar fraud.(X/@kachatterjee and @AppleSeedTX) Authorities allege that Sidhartha 'Sammy' Mukherjee and his wife Sunita defrauded over 100 victims of at least $4 million ( ₹33 crore) through fictitious investment projects. The Mukherjees, once prominent social figures in the Indian-American community in Plano, Texas are now facing first-degree felony theft charges, reported Daily Mail, adding that the couple are currently being held at a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention facility. How Indian-origin Texas couple duped millions According to investigators, the couple lured victims into non-existent real estate deals by promising high returns. Investors were given convincing-looking documents, including fake remodeling contracts and invoices allegedly from the Dallas Housing Authority. 'The investors didn't realize the fraud until the dividend cheques started to bounce,' reported CBS News. The fraudulent scheme came to light in 2024 when a couple claimed to have lost $325,000 and approached authorities. Euless Police detective Brian Brennan launched an investigation, which later expanded with FBI involvement. Detective Brennan told CBS that has never seen a 'fraudster' in his 23 years as 'prolific' as Sammy Mukherjee. He explained that the verification of the Dallas Housing Authority invoices confirmed that the projects were entirely fabricated. Many victims have come forward, describing the couple's persuasive and glamorous facade. So far, only 20 victims have been officially recorded, but investigators believe the total number may exceed 100. 'They will make you believe that they are very successful businesspeople. But they will take every single penny you have,' said Terry Parvaga, one of the victims, in a statement to CBS News. PPP loan fraud and threats to elderly victims The couple also allegedly targeted elderly individuals with threatening emails, falsely warning them of imminent arrest unless immediate payments were made. Beyond the real estate scam, the Mukherjees are also accused of submitting false documents to obtain federal pandemic relief under the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). They listed fake employees and fabricated payroll records to avail the benifits, the Daily Mail reported citing an arrest affidavit. During an FBI interview at a McDonald's in Plano, Sammy Mukherjee reportedly denied knowing the names on the payroll tied to the PPP loan. Filed for bankruptcy in 2024 Despite growing scrutiny, the couple maintained an active public presence until just before their arrest. But they filed for bankruptcy in 2024. Investigators are now exploring whether the defrauded funds were moved offshore or into cryptocurrency accounts. The Mukherjees reportedly arrived in the US from India seeking asylum, though federal records cited by the Daily Mail do not confirm their current immigration status. According to arrest affidavit, Sidhartha Mukherjee also has outstanding fraud warrants in Mumbai. If convicted, Sidhartha and Sunita Mukherjee could face prison sentences ranging from five to 99 years.
India.com
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet actress who wanted to become ‘Madhuri Dixit', father was a truck driver, was typecast in househelp roles, now a household name with.., her name is…
Meet actress who wanted to become 'Madhuri Dixit', father was a truck driver, was typecast in househelp roles, now a household name with.., her name is... In the glitzy and glamorous world of Bollywood, having a strong connection or a godfather can open new doors, provide easier access, and give an added spotlight. But, for an outsider to make a name for themselves without any help is nothing short of a revolution. However, every once in a while, some gems with absolutely no connection carve out a niche for themselves. One such similar tale is of an actress whose story is about talent, determination, and finally getting her due after struggling relentlessly. Who is Sunita Rajwar? The person that we are talking about is none other than Sunita Rajwar. Born in a small town in Uttarakhand. Sunita faced struggles quite early in her life. Her father was a truck driver who burned the midnight oil to make ends meet. Sunita, who was passionate about acting, had her dreams seem distant at this point. However, her passion for cinema and theatre pushed her to defy odds. While she was in college, a former NSD (National School of Drama) student recognised her potential and urged her to apply. That was a life-turning advice for Sunita. She got into NSD, which laid the foundation for her acting career. Sunita's Early Life, Debut in Acting, and More But even after graduating, life in Mumbai wasn't a cakewalk. She worked from junior artist to being typecast in roles of housemaids and helpers. She faced rejection, struggles, and even did roles that didn't meet her expectations. Her debut film was 'Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon' that came in 2003, Her challenges led her to financial struggles, and she considered quitting acting multiple times. However, she didn't give up. Later in a turn of events, she was offered a role in Gullak that redefined her career and gave her a breakthrough that due for long. When was Sunita's Breakthrough Moment? She did many hit films like Stree 2, Kedarnath, and Shubh Mangal Saavdhan. Recently, her film Santosh was also represented at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. However, a role that truly made her a household name was Kranti Devi in the popular web series Panchayat, which became one of the most successful Indian OTT shows. Besides her professional life, Sunita made waves on social media and news when she filed a defamation case against Nawazuddin Siddiqui. Nawazuddin mentioned in his book that Sunita was her 'first love,' and she left him because he was struggling financially. Offended by the personal revelations, Sunita responded legally and demanded ₹2 crore in damages. Sunita's journey from facing struggles and rejection to becoming a household name speaks of her passion, talent, and perseverance
Time of India
16-07-2025
- Time of India
Cops perform last rites of accident victim
Lucknow: Police personnel stepped far beyond the call of duty when they performed the last rites of a woman on Wednesday whose own family refused to claim her body after she died tragically under a speeding train. The victim, identified as Sunita (40), daughter of Banshiram from Danda Sikandarpur, was found dead near OHE pole number 1049/5 on Monday night in Mohanlalganj. She reportedly left her marital home five years ago to live with a man named Santram—an act that estranged her from her parents and three brothers. When police informed the family, they refused to accept her body, citing dishonour and broken ties. Despite repeated appeals and efforts to console them, the family stood firm in their rejection. It was the local police who took the moral responsibility of giving Sunita a dignified farewell. Her body was sent for post-mortem and later cremated with full Hindu rites under the supervision of the police. "In a society often quick to judge, it was the men and women of law enforcement agencies who rose with empathy," said former Pradhan from Mohanlalganj, Shiva Mishra.
