DIMAPUR, SEPTEMBER 1 (MExN): Acting on a complaint received on 19th August 2011, Dimapur police arrested a con-man and imposter on 31/08/11 for cheating and decamping with more than Rs. 27,00,000/-(Rupees Twenty Seven Lakhs) of Church money belonging to the Nagamese Baptist Church Padumpukhuri, Dimapur on the false promise of helping the Church construction committee to raise funds and constructions from his end. This was disclosed in a press note issued by Addl. Superintendent of Police/PRO Dimapur, Nagaland.
The arrested con-man, who has been identified as Ranjit Dutta@ Leo David @ Suresh Sharma S/o Late Bhupan Dutta of Tinsukia, Assam and his wife Katoni Awomi became a member of the Nagamese Baptist Church, Padumpukhri in the middle of 2010 introducing himself as Major Leo David, an ex-serviceman. Thereafter, the two started attending the church regularly and slowly with their affable nature became a popular member in the church. With the passage of time, the Church set up a committee to oversee the construction of a new church building in which Leo David was also made a member in the Executive Committee.
During the month of June 2010, Leo David brought a so-called Army Tender form for disposal of condemned vehicle parts on scrap which were to be auctioned by the Army authorities at Shillong suggesting that the Church can procure the scraps and condemned vehicles to be sold for a profit which would be contributed to the Church building Fund. Trusting his intentions and on good faith, the Church agreed to the proposal and as offered by him, he was entrusted to negotiate with the Army authorities regarding the tender.
The price quoted in the tender form amounted to Rs. 27.70.000/-(Twenty Seven Lakhs Seventy Thousand). Accordingly, on 02/06/11, the Church handed over Rs. 18.40.000/-(Eighteen Lakhs Forty Thousand) to Leo David which he said would be deposited to the authorities at Rangapahar Cantonment. On 11/06/11, as requested by Leo David, another Rs. 5.00.000/-(Five Lakhs) was given to him at his shop M/S World Cosmetics at Nagarjan, Dimapur.
Again on 16/06/11, Leo David asked for Rs. 4.00.000/-(Four Lakhs) as final payment after which the goods will be reaching Dimapur positively by the 5th of July 2011 from Shillong. The amount was handed over to him and thereafter, the Church was hopeful of the delivery of the goods. However, on 20/06/11, Leo David went missing and was untraceable. On enquiry, it was found that Leo David was a con-man who used various identities to dupe and cheat innocent victims.
On the strength of the FIR, a case was registered and Warrant of Arrest obtained from the Court. A team of Dimapur Police was deputed to Tinsukia to arrest him on learning of his presence. The accused was arrested by the team and on his revelation, Rs. 18.45.000/-(Eighteen Lakhs Forty Thousand) was recovered from his possession along with a brand new Mahindra Jeep with Eng. No. BUB433352 and Ch. No MAISL4BUNB2F84399 which were seized. The accused was brought to Dimapur and remanded to Police custody for further investigation into the case.
The arrested con-man, who has been identified as Ranjit Dutta@ Leo David @ Suresh Sharma S/o Late Bhupan Dutta of Tinsukia, Assam and his wife Katoni Awomi became a member of the Nagamese Baptist Church, Padumpukhri in the middle of 2010 introducing himself as Major Leo David, an ex-serviceman. Thereafter, the two started attending the church regularly and slowly with their affable nature became a popular member in the church. With the passage of time, the Church set up a committee to oversee the construction of a new church building in which Leo David was also made a member in the Executive Committee.
During the month of June 2010, Leo David brought a so-called Army Tender form for disposal of condemned vehicle parts on scrap which were to be auctioned by the Army authorities at Shillong suggesting that the Church can procure the scraps and condemned vehicles to be sold for a profit which would be contributed to the Church building Fund. Trusting his intentions and on good faith, the Church agreed to the proposal and as offered by him, he was entrusted to negotiate with the Army authorities regarding the tender.
The price quoted in the tender form amounted to Rs. 27.70.000/-(Twenty Seven Lakhs Seventy Thousand). Accordingly, on 02/06/11, the Church handed over Rs. 18.40.000/-(Eighteen Lakhs Forty Thousand) to Leo David which he said would be deposited to the authorities at Rangapahar Cantonment. On 11/06/11, as requested by Leo David, another Rs. 5.00.000/-(Five Lakhs) was given to him at his shop M/S World Cosmetics at Nagarjan, Dimapur.
Again on 16/06/11, Leo David asked for Rs. 4.00.000/-(Four Lakhs) as final payment after which the goods will be reaching Dimapur positively by the 5th of July 2011 from Shillong. The amount was handed over to him and thereafter, the Church was hopeful of the delivery of the goods. However, on 20/06/11, Leo David went missing and was untraceable. On enquiry, it was found that Leo David was a con-man who used various identities to dupe and cheat innocent victims.
On the strength of the FIR, a case was registered and Warrant of Arrest obtained from the Court. A team of Dimapur Police was deputed to Tinsukia to arrest him on learning of his presence. The accused was arrested by the team and on his revelation, Rs. 18.45.000/-(Eighteen Lakhs Forty Thousand) was recovered from his possession along with a brand new Mahindra Jeep with Eng. No. BUB433352 and Ch. No MAISL4BUNB2F84399 which were seized. The accused was brought to Dimapur and remanded to Police custody for further investigation into the case.
