Pilibhit: A New Delhi-based overseas education consultant was charged for allegedly cheating a retired armyman of over Rs 14 lakh in a fake study visa racket. The veteran is a resident of Baden Kanja village under Kareli police station of Pilibhit district.Mandeep Singh, posing as the proprietor of a firm, promised to secure a study visa for Randhir Singh’s 20-year-old son for Rs 15 lakh. Singh transferred Rs 14.57 lakh, but later came to know through the consulate that no visa application had been filed even after a year.In his complaint to SP Sukirti Madhav, the army veteran said Mandeep was known to his father and had agreed to arrange his son Ranjit Singh’s admission in Australia. Randheer transferred Rs 13.7 lakh to the accused’s account and paid Rs 50,000 in cash.Randhir later alleged that the accused had duped several others by making similar promises. He also approached the accused’s parents in Delhi seeking a refund, but was allegedly misled with repeated assurances that the visa would be arranged soon.SHO Vipin Shukla said Mandeep Singh, along with his father, Gyan Singh, and mother, has been charged under BNS sections 318(4) (cheating and fraud) and 316(2) (criminal breach of trust). Further investigation is underway, said police.
