Hathras Case Filed Over Alleged ₹11 Lakh Fraud Using MP's Letterhead

A case has been registered in Hathras over an alleged fraud of 11 lakh rupees, in which the letterhead of MP Anoop Pradhan was allegedly misused and a forged signature was used. The accused allegedly took the money from Rajkamal Prakashan Group, New Delhi, on the assurance of arranging work for the purchase of books through the MP’s fund.

The case was registered on the complaint of Mukesh Kumar, chief operating officer of Rajkamal Prakashan Group. Police have started investigating the allegations.

According to the complaint, Mukesh Kumar met Vimal Gautam on 4 August at the residence of MP Anoop Pradhan in Delhi. Gautam allegedly told him that he could arrange work for the purchase of books through the MP’s fund.

The complaint states that on 8 August, Gautam provided the MP’s letterhead and demanded 11 lakh rupees in exchange for getting the work arranged. Mukesh Kumar said the publishing group agreed to pay the amount after being assured that the letter would carry the MP’s signature and that the related documents would be uploaded on the e-Sakshi portal.

It is alleged that the very next day, Vimal Gautam took 11 lakh rupees in Hathras, saying that he would get the letterhead signed by the MP. The complaint does not state that the payment was made directly to the MP.

Suspicion reportedly arose after a screenshot was sent to the publishing group on 25 August. Vimal Gautam allegedly sent the screenshot claiming that the documents had been uploaded on the e-Sakshi portal.

After seeing the screenshot, representatives of the publishing group became suspicious. They met MP Anoop Pradhan on 7 September. During this meeting, it allegedly came to light that the signature on the letterhead was forged.

The complainant has alleged that through this process, not only Rajkamal Prakashan Group but also MP Anoop Pradhan was kept in the dark and deceived. The complaint alleges that the letterhead was used in the name of arranging book-purchase work through the MP’s fund.

Mukesh Kumar had approached the Superintendent of Police and sought action in the matter. Following the SP’s orders, the police registered a case. Police are now investigating the entire matter, including the alleged collection of 11 lakh rupees, the letterhead and the screenshot related to uploading documents on the e-Sakshi portal.