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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Hindustan Times
How IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar finds herself in the midst of a legal wrangle
Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rashmi Karandikar, 51, is in the midst of a maelstrom of legal disputes, with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police investigating two First Information Reports (FIRs) registered against her husband Purushottam Chavan, 53, in January and February, 2025, for his alleged role in defrauding six people of ₹7.42 crore on the promise of securing for them government plots at cheap rates and giving them the contract to supply T-shirts and hoodies to Nashik Police Academy between 2015 and 2024. In another instance, he had also promised 19 individuals cheap flats through various government schemes between 2019 to 2014 – he had collected funds to the tune of ₹24.78 crore from them. The cases unravelled in May 20, 2024, when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched Chavan's residence in Colaba for a money laundering probe related to alleged fraudulent withdrawal of TDS (Tax Deducted at Source) refunds worth ₹263.95 crore from the Income Tax (I-T) department. 'When ED registered an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and carried out searches at their Colaba residence, the agency had found several documents and agreements, which were forwarded by them to the EOW, which in turn registered the two FIRs based on the documents,' said a police officer investigating the case. In the twin cases of alleged promise of land parcels and homes, police have now summoned Karandikar's driver, house guards and house orderlies to record their statements. The EOW has secured Chavan's custody on remand up to June 24 on Thursday; and though Karandikar is not named in any of the FIRs, police are investigating financial transactions through her bank accounts and have written to the Director General of Police (DGP) Rashmi Shukla, to ascertain if she had declared the transactions as part of her assets. Karandikar and Chavan's paths converged in 2004 at an institute that mentored civil services aspirants for competitive exams. Karandikar was preparing to take the exams after completing a PhD in Sociology; she had a BSc in Statistics from University of Mumbai followed by MA in Sociology and Anthropology earlier, said a police officer, who is in the know of things. She had earlier cleared an examination for a desk officer's post under Maharashtra Public Service Commission (MPSC). The officer however could not furnish details about Chavan's background, except for the fact that like Karandikar, he also grew up in western Maharashtra between Mumbai and Pune. The couple wed a year after they met in 2005. Subsequently, while Karandikar joined the services, her husband dropped the idea of serving the government and joined a financial broker with whom he went on to work for several years. 'He made a handsome living,' said the police officer, adding that the couple has no children. As a state-cadre police officer, she has worked in highway traffic police, as a deputy commissioner of police (DCP) in the Cyber-crime division and as DCP Port Zone. She is presently DCP, Civil Defence. Through her time in the department, Karandikar is known to have solved many notable cases. The Bulli Bai case of 2022 was one, where the accused were arrested for posting photographs of Muslim women, including well-known personalities, activists and professionals, on an app called Bulli Bai where they were declared available for 'auction.' She was also instrumental in solving a Nigerian job fraud and Pradhan Mantri Yojna loan fraud cases during her tenure as DCP, Cyber-crime. She is now in a legal wrangle because of her husband's alleged misdeeds. Insiders in the police department said, while he chose to drop out of the civil services race, Chavan did not think twice of artfully using his wife's position to carry out his businesses. He used his Karandikar's official vehicle – a Maruti Suzuki Ertiga – when he showed aspiring investors plots under the Mumbai Port Authority (MbPA). He would be driven by her official driver, while a uniformed constable accompanied him in the vehicle. He struck a deal for a batch of T-shirts with prospective businessmen in the presence of Karandikar at her official residence in Colaba, thereby winning their confidence, said an investigating officer. Chavan had also claimed that his wife was a member of the visiting faculty at the academy. 'We have arrested Chavan in the second case registered against him and have got his police custody till June 24,' said a police officer aware of the investigation. Sources in the department said that Karandikar, who was also questioned by the EOW, purportedly filed for divorce from her husband after his arrest, citing mental cruelty and financial harassment, and for concealing his business activities. EOW officers told HT that they have found transactions by which Karandikar had received ₹2.64 crore in her bank account from the account of her husband, who had made several foreign trips and who is also being investigated by the ED for money laundering charges. 'We have written to the DGP's office to check if she has declared the banking transactions in her assets disclosure, and are awaiting a response,' said the EOW officer, adding if they find her guilty of doing so, they may refer the case to the Anti-Corruption Bureau. 'The probe is at a nascent stage now,' the officer added.
New Indian Express
6 days ago
- Politics
- New Indian Express
Uttarakhand scholarship scam: Rs 91 lakh fraud uncovered in 17 minority institutions, FIRs imminent
DEHRADUN: The Uttarakhand government has received crucial investigation report revealing widespread irregularities in a centrally sponsored scholarship scheme for students from minority communities. The reported submitted by the district administration, has flagged serious discrepancies in 17 out of 92 educational institutions under scrutiny. Following the findings, the state government is preparing to file First Information Reports (FIRs) against those involved. Officials confirmed that action would be taken to ensure accountability and recover misappropriated funds. The probe was initiated by the Union Ministry of Minority Affairs after receiving multiple complaints and conducting an analysis of the National Scholarship Portal, which flagged several institutions and schools as suspicious. Subsequently, the Uttarakhand government ordered a comprehensive investigation across 92 institutions and schools within the state. District Magistrates were directed to form inquiry committees led by Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs). The government had recently issued reminders to ensure timely submission of reports. 'The report reveals prima facie irregularities in scholarship disbursement across 17 institutions of the 92 that were examined,' a government spokesperson said. These include instances where scholarships were awarded to students who were not enrolled in the listed institutions. The irregularities involve 1,058 students and an estimated financial fraud of around Rs 91 lakh. Departmental sources said Haridwar district accounted for the highest number of implicated institutions (7), followed by Udham Singh Nagar (6), and Nainital and Rudraprayag with two each. Dhiraj Garbyal, Secretary of the Minority Welfare Department, confirmed that the report had been received and has been forwarded to the Ministry. 'FIRs and other necessary steps will be taken to ensure accountability,' he said.
Time of India
6 days ago
- Time of India
EOW: IPS officer got Rs 2.6 crore in account from husband facing probe
IPS officer got Rs 2.6 crore in account from husband facing probe MUMBAI: IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar received Rs 2.64 crore in her bank account from her husband Puroshattam Chavan, who is facing investigation in two cases of cheating and money laundering, according to a probe by the Economic Offences Wing. The investigators also found that Karandikar invested the money in share market intraday trading, but lost. The EOW has written to the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP), seeking clarification if Karandikar had declared this in her asset disclosure. The money was received in a 90-day period between 2017 and 2018. The police have not named her as an accused. When contacted by TOI, Karandikar responded via WhatsApp, "I am on medical leave and not in a condition to talk." The EOW had registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) in February this year against Chavan and 11 others for allegedly duping 20 victims of Rs 24.78 crore under the pretext of providing government quota flats in Mumbai, Thane and Pune at concessional rates. Chavan allegedly misused his influence to promise flats and govt plots in Bhiwandi, Pune, Panvel, Sewri, and even plots belonging to the Bombay Port Trust (BPT). In addition to these cases, the Enforcement Directorate is separately probing Chavan in a Rs 263-crore income tax refund fraud. "The money was transferred to Karandikar's account and not reversed. We have summoned her for questioning so that she can provide an explanation. However, she has not appeared so far, citing medical leave," an EOW official said. According to an associate of Karandikar, she has initiated divorce proceedings at the Bandra family court, citing mental cruelty, financial harassment, incompatibility, her husband's bipolar disorder, and concealment of financial dealings. Karandikar reportedly vacated her official quarters located above Colaba police station without formally informing police headquarters.
Time of India
7 days ago
- Time of India
EOW: IPS officer got 2.6 cr in a/c from husband facing probe
Mumbai: IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar received Rs 2.64 crore in her bank account from her husband Puroshattam Chavan, who is facing investigation in two cases of cheating and money laundering, according to a probe by the Economic Offences Wing. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The investigators also found that Karandikar invested the money in share market intraday trading, but lost. The EOW has written to the Maharashtra director general of police (DGP), seeking clarification if Karandikar had declared this in her asset disclosure. The money was received in a 90-day period between 2017 and 2018. The police have not named her as an accused. When contacted by TOI, Karandikar responded via WhatsApp, "I am on medical leave and not in a condition to talk." The EOW had registered two First Information Reports (FIRs) in Feb this year against Chavan and 11 others for allegedly duping 20 victims of Rs 24.78 crore under the pretext of providing govt quota flats in Mumbai, Thane and Pune at concessional rates. Chavan allegedly misused his influence to promise flats and govt plots in Bhiwandi, Pune, Panvel, Sewri, and even plots belonging to the Bombay Port Trust (BPT). In addition to these cases, the Enforcement Directorate is separately probing Chavan in a Rs 263-crore income tax refund fraud. "The money was transferred to Karandikar's account and not reversed. We have summoned her for questioning so that she can provide an explanation. However, she has not appeared so far, citing medical leave," an EOW official said. According to an associate of Karandikar, she has initiated divorce proceedings at the Bandra family court citing mental cruelty, financial harassment, incompatibility, her husband's bipolar disorder, and concealment of financial dealings. Karandikar reportedly vacated her official quarters located above Colaba police station without formally informing police headquarters.
Indian Express
12-06-2025
- Indian Express
Bengaluru stampede: Karnataka High Court grants interim bail to RCB marketing head Nikhil Sosale, 3 others
A single-judge bench of the Karnataka High Court Thursday granted interim bail to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) marketing head Nikhil Sosale along with event management company DNA Entertainment's vice president Sunil Mathew, and two others in the Bengaluru stampede case. The interim bail in question was granted to the petitioners subject to their cooperation with the investigation while also refraining from threatening witnesses or hampering the investigation. They were also directed to not leave the court's jurisdiction, deposit their passports with the trial court, and execute a personal bond of Rs 1 lakh. The four accused petitioners in this case were arrested on June 6 based on three First Information Reports (FIRs) registered the previous day. Arguing for the petitioners, senior advocate Sandesh Chouta had questioned the justification for an arrest without conducting an investigation that would implicate them in said offences. It was also argued that with the case having been transferred to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) on June 5, neither the regular police nor the Central Crime Branch (CCB) had the authority to carry out arrests. It was further stated that the arrests were not based on FIRs but rather the instructions of the chief minister on June 5 at a press conference. Opposing the bail plea on behalf of the State was Advocate General Shashikiran Shetty, arguing that all necessary documents had been provided. He also stated that while the case had been officially transferred to the CID on June 5, the investigation was handed over to the agency only after the arrests. Till then, the Cubbon Park police carried out the investigation, with the CCB being deputed by them for the arrests. With regard to Sosale, he also pointed out that he appeared to have been fleeing, taking into account the time of purchase of his flight ticket and his arrest from Kempegowda International Airport. Having heard the respective arguments, the bench observed in its detailed order that to arrest without a warrant, 'It was absolutely essential for the respondent Police to receive credible information that the petitioners had committed a cognizable offence punishable with imprisonment for more than seven years and the respondents should have also recorded reasons to believe in writing on the basis of the said credible information that the petitioners had committed the alleged offences.' The court went on to observe that in absence of material or an investigation to establish this, or their specific role in the offences, the arrests appeared to be contrary to law. The high court also did not accept the State's contentions with regard to the timing of transfer of the case to the CID, which was based on a 2015 State circular that existing investigating officers should continue investigation until the CID takeover, noting that it was, 'applicable only to the cases where there was incomplete documentation by the local investigation officers who have been directed to continue investigation in relation to mandatory provisions like post-mortem examination, etc.' While granting interim bail in this order, the judge also noted that since there appeared to be a delay of 10-11 hours after arrest in communicating grounds of arrest to the accused petitioners, the arrest appeared to stand vitiated. Eleven people died in a stampede outside the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru earlier this month during the felicitation event for the RCB following their maiden title victory in the Indian Premier League.
