Govt advocate's late hubby 'duped' of Rs 2.25 crore by man who has gone missing in Maharashtra

NAGPUR: An additional public prosecutor (APP) at Nagpur has lodged a complaint with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) that a man from Ahmednagar duped her late husband of ₹2.25 crore. The accused, Niranjan Nirmal, booked for fraud along with his father Raosaheb, sister Usha, and wife Pritam at Bajaj Nagar police station on February 20, has been missing since February 13.
The Nirmal family filed a missing complaint at Vavi police station in Nashik rural on February 16.
The Nirmal family has also alleged that high-profile astrologer-cum-temple trustee 'Captain Sir', based in western Maharashtra and close to top politicians, is part of the conspiracy in which Niranjan is now being 'implicated'. A top politician had visited the astrologer recently, and the opposition had condemned the proximity of the two. The Nirmal family alleges the money was for Captain Sir, who was to get some work done for the APP using his political contacts.
The Nirmal family has also sent a complaint to the principle district judge, Nagpur, against the APP for threatening them citing her connections with cops and senior judges.
The complaint at Nagpur says that Rs 2.45 crore was paid by the APP’s husband, who died in October 2022, to Niranjan since June 2022 for return-based investment.
A Rs 100 stamp paper allegedly signed by Niranjan admits receipt of Rs 2.45 crore in cash between July 2022 and January 2023 from the APP. It also mentions return of Rs 20 lakh cash, and promises refund of Rs 2.25 crore by February 13.
Niranjan’s father Raosaheb told TOI, “Captain Sir was supposed to get some order issued for the complainant, for which the disputed amount was paid. I don’t know the exact details but the order was connected to something about the APP’s department.”
Raosaheb has been running pillar to post in search of his only son Nirmal, who was last seen by his driver, who dropped him near Pathre village at Sinnar near Nashik on February 13. Nirmal’s last message from his mobile on February 13 said, “Father, there is no mistake of mine in this matter. Take care of everyone, as the torture is unbearable for me. The matter does not involve me, but still I am being dragged into this. Bye bye. Alvida.” The message was shared with TOI by Raosaheb.
Raosaheb, a retired employee of agricultural department, said he was petrified after his son went missing. “The APP would come to our house and demand money aggressively. She used to threaten to implicate me and my son in criminal cases as she trains cops, knows many judges and so on,” said Raosaheb.
Raosaheb also shared two audio clips of his son with TOI in which Niranjan speaks of shooting himself so everyone torturing him would be held responsible. Niranjan says ‘some groups’ dragged him into the problem, and he is trying to arrange for money to repay the complainant.
The Nirmal family says Niranjan and the APP first met at the astrologer’s ashram near Nashik. They are asking investigation agencies to probe where she got Rs 2.5 crore. CP Amitesh Kumar said prime accused (Niranjan) is absconding.
Sub-divisional police officer Somnath Tambe of Nashik rural said the last call made by Niranjan was to one Piyush, whom they are trying to trace. “Niranjan’s mobile phone was switched off near Sinnar,” he said.