‘Congress man took money for investment, but used it to fund son’s studies’

Mohan Singh Saini, Mumbai Congress general secretary and the accused in the case

A Congress office-bearer has been booked by Dharavi police for allegedly duping a jeweller of Rs 17.5 lakh. The complainant alleged that Mohan Singh Saini, general secretary of Mumbai Congress, took the money from him with the promise of high returns but used it to fund his son's studies in Canada. Saini, however, claimed that he had taken the money for his son's studies and was ready to return the same, but the complainant demanded exorbitant interest. He further said that the case was filed to defame him and tarnish his image.

The complainant, Jitendra Khaire, in his statement to the police said he knew Saini for the past 19 years. In 2019, Saini allegedly told him that one of his friends worked for a company which offers good returns to investors and promised 6 per cent interest on investment.

Khaire said that he first paid Rs 3 lakh to Saini in February 2019. "After a few days Saini asked for Rs 7 lakh more. So, I borrowed money and gave him the amount from March to June 2019," he claimed.

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"In June, he also asked me to give him Rs 1.5 lakh to buy a bike for his son and promised to pay interest. I mortgaged some gold and gave him the money. When he did not return the money, I had to follow up with him constantly and got the money back. But he did not pay me the interest he had promised," said Khaire, adding, "Whenever I asked him to return my money, he would intimidate me citing his position in the party."

"Saini made several promises of returning money and gave new dates but never returned a penny. After great effort I managed to lodge an FIR against him at Dharavi police station on September 27. Saini has cheated many like this, but they do not dare to speak up," he said.

As per the FIR, a copy of which is with mid-day, Saini cheated Khaire of Rs 17.5 lakh, this includes Rs 10 lakh he had invested, Rs 6.6 lakh interest Saini had promised along with Rs 1.35 lakh interest promised on the money he had lent Saini for the bike.

"We have filed an FIR against Mohan Singh Saini under Sections 420 (cheating), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 504 (insult with intent to provoke breach of peace) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the IPC. The probe is on," said Vijay Kandalgaonkar, senior inspector, Dharavi police station.

‘Move to defame me'

When contacted, Saini said, "I know Khaire personally and have taken money from him to fund my son's study. But when I tried to return the money, he asked for too much interest. He went to seniors of the party and even threatened to file a case against me. There has not been a single non-cognisable case filed against me in 40 years of my public life. This FIR has been filed with the intention to defame and tarnish my public image."

Rs 17.5l
Money the complainant claimed he was duped of