Ghaziabad Job Scam: IPS Officer's Family Accused of Duping Youths of Over Rs 1 Crore
In a shocking case from Ghaziabad, eight youths from a village in Sahibabad have had their dreams of securing government jobs shattered after falling victim to a sophisticated fraud scheme. The accused, identified as Rajesh Khanna, his wife Jaya Khanna—who claimed to be an IPS officer—their daughter Kanishka, and a close associate Thomas P Joseph, allegedly cheated the families of more than Rs 1 crore under the pretext of providing employment in various government departments.
Police Action and FIR Details
The Ghaziabad police have taken swift action by filing a First Information Report (FIR) against all four accused under multiple charges, including sections 318(4) for cheating and 336(3) for forgery with the intent to cheat. According to a police officer, specialized teams have been formed to trace the absconding individuals, who are currently evading arrest. The fraud came to light after Rishiraj Kumar, a resident of Sahibabad's Sector 5 and a peon in a Delhi government school, filed a formal complaint detailing the elaborate scam.
How the Scam Unfolded
The fraudulent activities spanned from 2022 to 2024, beginning when Kumar was introduced to Thomas P Joseph in 2022. Joseph subsequently connected him with the Khanna family. During a meeting, Jaya Khanna reportedly showed Kumar her government employee card and boasted of having extensive connections in multiple departments, promising to secure jobs for him and others from his village. She quoted a fee of Rs 20-25 lakh per person, payable in cash, for these supposed job placements.
Kumar, trusting the family, introduced several aspiring youths from his village to the Khannas. He handed over their documents and cash payments to Kanishka and Rajesh, as instructed by Jaya for paperwork processing. Shortly after, the accused summoned Kumar to Delhi Western Court, presented fabricated paperwork, and demanded an additional Rs 70 lakh. To lend credibility, Jaya met two of the youths at Lodhi Estate Sai Mandir and provided them with fake appointment letters from the Food Corporation of India (FCI), while assuring others of future dates.
Escalation of Fraud and Fake Documents
After receiving the Rs 70 lakh payment, the accused sent three other youths fake appointment letters for posts at Indian Railways via speed post. Following a subsequent payment of Rs 15 lakh, two more individuals were given counterfeit FCI appointment letters. In a particularly brazen move, one youth was called to the FCI office in Barakhamba, made to sign papers outside the building, and handed a joining letter—all part of the elaborate deception.
However, the scam unraveled when the youths attempted to join their supposed posts. Upon visiting the respective departments, they discovered that all documents provided by the Khanna family were completely fake. When confronted, Jaya allegedly tried to placate those with Indian Railways letters by claiming they would need to work under a contractor temporarily before their positions became permanent—a further attempt to delay exposure.
Threats and Legal Fallout
As promises turned to dust, Kumar confronted the accused at their home, demanding the return of the stolen money and threatening to file a police complaint. In a disturbing response, Kanishka allegedly threatened to tear her clothes and accuse Kumar of attempted rape if he pursued legal action. This intimidation tactic highlights the lengths to which the accused went to cover their tracks.
The case underscores a growing trend of job scams targeting vulnerable individuals aspiring for government employment. Authorities are urging the public to exercise caution and verify job offers through official channels to avoid such pitfalls. The investigation is ongoing, with police working to apprehend the accused and recover the defrauded funds.
