NAGPUR: A property dealer, Ganpat Paunikar, was arrested this week by the Crime Branch from Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, for allegedly defrauding a woman of Rs 42 lakh last month. Paunikar had fled the city after duping Shakuntala Gumgaonkar, a retired school employee, in a property scam.
According to the complaint filed by Gumgaonkar at Sakkardara police station, she had entered into an agreement with Paunikar for the purchase of a plot in Pimpaldhara, Hingna taluka.
Paunikar had presented a fake power of attorney from the property’s owner, Kisan Sahajwani, using an imposter to deceive her. Despite receiving the payment, Paunikar repeatedly delayed the transfer of the property, offering excuses.
Later, Paunikar offered Gumgaonkar another plot at Salai Godhni, but this time, the documents were made in his name. Realizing she had been scammed, Gumgaonkar filed a complaint with the police.
An offence was registered against Paunikar and his accomplices at Sakkardara police station. The Crime Branch successfully traced Paunikar to Seoni, where he was arrested and brought back to Nagpur for further investigation.
