PK Jaiswar

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, April 27

A day after the registration of a fraud case against an Army man, a high drama was witnessed outside his residence at Mahal village where a number of victims held a demonstration against him. The protest went on for around 15 minutes following which family members in the house reportedly threatened them of dire consequences, forcing them to move away. The family allegedly asked them not to create any scene.

The prime suspect, Manjit Singh, is presently posted in the eastern side of the country. The victims alleged that they took loans from commission agents and borrowed money from relatives in order to give a hefty sum to Manjit Singh, the accused. They alleged that that the accused threatened to kill them whenever they demanded money.

Gurvel Singh of Bhindi Aulakh alleged that he gave more than Rs 8 lakh after selling his land for getting his son and relatives recruited into the Army. He said he was introduced by Sahib Singh of Chak Dogra village in Ajnala. Sahib Singh has filed a police complaint against Manjit Singh.

Major Singh, another resident of Chak Dogra village, alleged Manjit also had the registry of his one-acre land. He said he gave Rs 1.50 lakh to him for getting his son recruited into the Army.

Sahib Singh said he worked as a labourer at the residence of the accused in Mahal village. Manjit Singh assured him that he could recruit their wards into the Army without any physical examination. He also asked him to inform other people in his village if they wanted jobs for their wards. Sahib Singh informed many villagers who approached Manjit through him.

He said around 67 persons had been duped of Rs 80 lakh in the past two years and he was leading a lavish life by defrauding people. He used to demand Rs 5 lakh for the same and used to take Rs 1.50 lakh to Rs 2 lakh in advance.

They alleged that many people had complained to the police about the fraud, but the latter did not bother and even discouraged them from registering FIRs. He said they had approached the SSP (Amritsar rural) in this connection for lodging the complaint.

The Kamboh police have registered a case under Sections 420 and 406 of the IPC against him. Harpal Singh, SP (Investigations) said the matter was under investigation. He said the accused would be asked to join the investigation and the Army authorities would be informed about this.