Duped in the name of college admission

Ludhiana, August 17: LUDHIANA police have arrested a Bangalore-based woman for cheating Amandeep, a resident of Dasuya, on the pretext of getting him admission at a medical college in Bangalore for Rs 22 lakh. She claimed to be a trustee of the medical college.

Laxmi was arrested from Bangalore by Division five police. Addressing mediapersons, SP (Detective) Gurpreet Singh Toor said in 2003, S K Sharma and Sameen of Bihar opened ‘Sharma Career Consultants’ at Feroze Gandhi market. They also advertised in newspapers claiming to place students at Kims Medical College Bangalore, which is run by Vokkaligara Sangha Trust, Bangalore.

Amandeep’s father Anup Singh, a veterinary doctor approached these consultants. Laxmi assured their ward a seat, for which they first gave Rs 12 lakh, and later Rs 10 lakh. ‘‘However, the accused bundled up their venture and escaped from the city without fulfilling their promise, leaving the family in lurch,’’ Toor said. Amandeep’s parents lodged a complaint with police, who booked the accused for cheating. A police party was sent to Bangalore. Sharma and Sameen are still at large.

Police found that Laxmi’s membership of the trust expired in 2003. ‘‘She used her old letter-pad for assuring admission, even when she had lost the authority to grant admissions,’’ Toor said.

The police have also come across some more cases registered against another member of the same medical college at Bangalore. ‘‘This group may have been active at other places too. We hope to come across more information during further investigation,’’ Toor said.