The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police arrested three persons for allegedly duping over 20 people of lakhs of rupees by promising them houses under the Chief Ministers housing quota. The accused also promised jobs to the victims in the sales tax department. The accused have been identified as Manoj Shinde,Vijay Rane and his son Siddhesh Rane. While Shinde is in judicial custody,Vijay and Siddhesh have been granted bail,said the police. In March this year,Vijay Rane,a mechanic with the naval dockyard,reportedly told his colleagues that Shinde was CMs personal assistant. Vijay told his colleagues that Shinde can get him a job in the states sales tax department and an apartment under the CMs quota. He told one of the victims to pay an initial amount of Rs 1 lakh in cash and the rest after he receives the appointment letter for the job and the allotment letter, said an EOW officer. The officer added after the initial amount was paid by the victim,Vijays son Siddhesh took the complainant to see houses in Thane. After paying the initial amount,the accused did not get an appointment letter or a house allotment letter. Soon they realised they were duped and approached the police, said the officer. The accused had duped 23 people to the tune of Rs 50 lakh. The number of victims may go up as our investigations are on, he said. The bank accounts and some properties of the accused have also been sealed.
