Property dealer who fled with Rs 37 lakh arrested

A property dealer, who allegedly fled with his client’s Rs 37 lakh in South Delhi’s Vasant Kunj area, was arrested from Uttar Pradesh on Friday, police said.

“The man, identified as Bhanu Pratap, who was on the run with one his client Kusum’s  bag – containing Rs 37 lakh, was arrested. About Rs 30 lakh has been recovered from him,” DCP (South)Ishwar Singh said.

Kusum had approached the police on October 11, alleging that she had got in touch with Pratap in connection with purchasing a property in Vasant Kunj, said the officer.

After the deal was finalised, she had sent her servant Deshraj along with Pratap, to deliver the money to the property owner, he said. When Deshraj and Pratap reached Vasant Kunj, Pratap told the servant to fetch a cold drink for him, said the officer.

He added that Deshraj returned only to find that Pratap had left the place with the bag.

Pratap’s mobile phone was found switched off and he could not be traced at his office address or his residence.

During investigation, raids were conducted at Pratap’s office in Saket, residence in Uttam Nagar and other possible hideouts but he could not be traced, Singh said.

Police got to know about his location after Pratap switched on his mobile phone and a team was sent to Gorakhpur to arrest him, said the officer. Pratap was brought to Delhi on Friday, he added.

“Efforts are on to find out if other people were involved in the case. He will be questioned to ascertain what had he done with the remaining Rs 7 lakh and what was his motive behind stealing the money,” said a senior police officer, investigating the case.