Nagpur: Fraudster Neeraj Singh Rathod was in contact with 28 MLAs from Maharashtra, West Bengal, Haryana, Jharkhand, and Delhi over the past three months. Impersonating as Personal Assistant of BJP President J P Nadda, Rathod had promised them ministerial positions in exchange for online transactions. Fortunately, only three MLAs fell victim to his deceitful scheme.
The fraud came to light after three BJP MLAs from Maharashtra reportedly fell prey to Rathod’s fraudulent tactics. These individuals were led to believe that they would secure ministership in the Shinde-Fadnavis government. Subsequently, online transactions were carried out by the duped MLAs, under the influence of several persuasive phone calls from Rathod, posing as the PA of BJP National President.
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Monday 31March 2025
While the three MLAs from Maharashtra were deceived, none of the other 28 MLAs across the mentioned states were swindled by Rathod’s ruse. The senior police official highlighted the significance of recorded conversations as key evidence in building a strong case against the fraudster. The implicated MLAs, who interacted with Rathod, are expected to provide vital testimony to assist in the investigation.
Rathod was arrested by the Nagpur police from his residence on Tuesday. The police initiated the action on the complaint of MLA Vikas Kumbhare (Central Nagpur). Besides Kumbhare, the conman had made phone calls to MLAs Tekchand Savarkar (Kamptee), Tanaji Mutkule (Hingoli), Narayan Kuche (Badnapur), Pravin Arlekar (Goa), and Basha Mowachang (Nagaland) and offered them ministerships in exchange of rupees. In the case of MLA Kumbhare, the fraudster promised him Urban Development Ministry in the State government by posing as the Personal Assistant of BJP National President J P Nadda. Another fraudster even joined the conversation, pretending to be Nadda himself.
Rathod was arrested by Delhi police last year
Rathod was arrested by Delhi police last year for duping a BJP MLA. A prominent Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA from Delhi was also the victim of a fraudulent scheme orchestrated by Neeraj Singh Rathod. The accused, who was recently arrested in Nagpur, duped the MLA by offering a coveted post in the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana.
The unsuspecting Delhi MLA had lodged a complaint with the authorities after realizing that he had fallen victim to Rathod’s promises. Rathod, cunningly posing as a facilitator of government posts, managed to gain the trust of the MLA through persuasive phone conversations. Promising a high ranking position within the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, Rathod enticed the MLA into making monetary transactions to secure the post. Later, he was arrested by Delhi police.
