The Colaba police have registered a case of cheating and criminal intimidation against an advocate who allegedly defrauded a 78-year-old woman by giving her a fake ‘release order’ for her jailed daughter and demanding ₹53,500 in cash.
Background of the Case
According to the complaint filed by Asha Pujari, her daughter, Priya Bharat Pujari, is an accused in an NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) case registered at Bhandup police station, currently being heard in a Sessions Court. On June 23, the court rejected Priya’s bail plea. On July 7, advocate Ratnadeep Meshraam filed a fresh bail application on her behalf. On August 1, the court granted conditional bail, but Priya could not be released due to pending procedures.
The Alleged Fraud
On August 4, Asha’s son-in-law, Laxman Mane, suggested contacting advocate Dev Gupta for assistance and shared his phone number. Gupta allegedly told Asha over the phone that a ‘release order’ was required for her daughter’s release and claimed he could arrange it. Later that day, Asha and her husband met Gupta outside the Sessions Court. He took them to his office, where he collected ₹53,500 in cash.
The False Document
Gupta then handed over a sealed envelope, claiming it contained the release order. However, when Asha and her son-in-law went to the Byculla Women’s Jail at Nagpada Junction, a constable informed them that the envelope contained no such order.
Threats and Police Action
When Asha confronted Gupta about the fraud, he allegedly threatened her, saying, “If you go to the police, I will get your daughter killed.” The Colaba police have booked Dev Gupta under charges of cheating and criminal intimidation and have begun an investigation.
