Three Accused Including Couple Booked for Cheating NRI
The Bilga police have registered a case against three individuals, including a married couple, for allegedly defrauding a non-resident Indian (NRI) of property worth over 2 acres. The accused have been identified as Paramjit Singh, his wife Jasveer Kaur, both residents of Pati Neelowal Bilga village, and Santokh Singh, a resident of Pati Mansoor Bilga village. The case was lodged following a complaint by the victim, Gurmail Singh, a 78-year-old NRI living in Canada.
NRI Alleges Fraudulent Power of Attorney
According to the complaint filed with the Jalandhar Deputy Commissioner, Gurmail Singh visited India in 2018 to execute his will in favor of his son. He alleged that his nephew, Paramjit Singh, and daughter-in-law, Jasveer Kaur, fraudulently prepared a general power of attorney in his name without his knowledge or consent. The NRI stated that the accused then used this forged document to register sale deeds of his agricultural land, which spans over 2 acres, transferring ownership to Paramjit Singh.
Police Investigation and Charges
After receiving the complaint, the Deputy Commissioner forwarded it to the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Jalandhar (Rural), who ordered an inquiry. Investigating officer Charanjit Singh confirmed that a case has been registered under Section 318(4) (cheating) and Section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). The police are now conducting further investigations to ascertain the full extent of the fraud and any other accomplices involved.
Impact on the NRI Community
This case highlights the vulnerability of NRIs to property fraud when they return to India. The misuse of power of attorney documents remains a common tactic in such crimes, often leaving victims with lengthy legal battles to reclaim their assets. The Bilga police have urged other NRIs to exercise caution and verify all legal documents thoroughly before executing them.
