Delhi youth nabbed for duping Kolkata lady after promising French hound

A team of the Bengal Criminal Investigation Department (CID) arrested a youth from Delhi on Friday for duping an elderly woman from Kolkata by not supplying a puppy for which he took Rs 18,000 from her.

Kamal Sharma, 30, allegedly promised to sell a Basset Hound puppy to a 70-year-old resident of south Kolkata and took the money from her through electronic payment modes.

With drooping ears, short legs and playful nature, Basset Hounds are coveted as pets and pups are usually priced above Rs 25,000 depending upon the pedigree. A police officer said the bait of the accused was the price that was substantially below the market value.

The victim lodged a complaint with the Government Railway Police in Howrah in May, alleging she was duped after responding to an online advertisement for sale of pups. She paid the entire amount but the pet never arrived.

A Bengal CID team conducted a raid on Friday in Pul Prahladpur, New Delhi and Kamal Sharma was arrested. “The accused was produced before the metropolitan magistrate at Saket Court. The court ordered four days of transit remand with a direction to produce the accused before Howrah Court on June 5,” said a CID statement.

After the case was transferred to CID, Sharma was traced in Pul Prahladpur in Delhi through his mobile phone location.

Sharma was charged with forgery, cheating (IPC section 468) and violation of Information Technology Act.

The accused switched off his phone after the lady made the payment. He allegedly sent the victim photos of the pup he promised to deliver.