IFS Officer, Husband Booked for Allegedly Duping Lucknow Doctor of ₹64 Lakh in Investment Scam

Police have booked an Indian Foreign Service (IFS) officer and her husband for allegedly duping a doctor of over Rs 64 lakhs under the pretext of investment in Lucknow, said a police official. Rajesh Kumar Tripathi (SHO) stated that an FIR was filed in this matter a day ago at Gomti Nagar police station, following a court order. Dr. Mridula Agarwal, who was defrauded by the couple, alleged in her FIR that she was duped of Rs 64,63,250 by IFS officer Niharika Singh, her husband Ajit Gupta, and their associated companies in Lucknow.

According to the police, the IFS officer is currently posted in Indonesia, and there has been no response from her so far. The FIR against the couple has been lodged under IPC sections 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) for an offence that occurred between February 2 and February 29, 2020.

According to the FIR, those booked include Ajit Gupta, his wife Niharika Singh, Ani Bullion Traders, and Eye Visions India Credit Cooperative Society Limited. In her complaint, Agarwal, a 54-year-old Gomti Nagar resident, stated that she met the couple in 2016 when they visited her clinic for their daughter’s treatment. 

They allegedly convinced her to invest in their company, Ani Bullion Traders, promising higher returns than other options. Trusting them, Agarwal invested Rs 51 lakh via multiple cheques in August 2016. An agreement was signed on stamped paper, and post-dated cheques were given as proof of investment.

Agarwal said the investment was initially profitable, with returns coming regularly until August 2018. However, in February 2019, she was informed that her investments had been transferred to another firm, Eye Vision India Credit Cooperative Society, but was assured her money was secure. 

While payments continued until January 2020, they stopped after February 2020. When she inquired, employees informed her that Ajit Gupta and others were in police custody. Despite promises from the company’s staff that her money would be repaid once they were released, Agarwal claims no progress has been made. She now faces severe financial loss and mental distress due to the alleged fraud.

(With Agency Inputs)