Kanpur Father-Son Duo Accused of Rs 7 Lakh PMAY Housing Scam, 29 Victims File FIR
In a shocking case of fraud emerging from Kanpur, a father-son duo has been accused of cheating 29 individuals out of a total of Rs 7 lakh by falsely promising them housing allotments under the central government's Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY). The incident, which occurred in the Chakeri police station area, has led to the filing of a First Information Report (FIR) following court intervention after the victims received neither the promised housing nor a refund of their money.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to the FIR, the complainant, Ashish Kumar, a labourer residing in Kopar Ganj, Raipurwa, stated that he was acquainted with Pawan Kumar of Raksha Vihar, Shyam Nagar. Pawan Kumar allegedly informed Ashish that his father, Dinesh Kumar, was employed at a gun factory and possessed the influence to secure jobs at either the Metro or the gun factory. More significantly, Pawan claimed his father could facilitate colony allotments under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, a flagship housing scheme aimed at providing affordable housing to the urban and rural poor.
The complaint elaborates that Ashish Kumar, along with 28 other individuals, collectively paid Rs 7 lakh to Pawan Kumar and Dinesh Kumar under the pretext of securing these colony allotments. After a considerable period elapsed with no progress on the promised housing, the victims confronted the duo. Pawan and Dinesh reportedly assured them that the colony would be allocated soon, asking for further patience.
Escalation to Harassment and Police Inaction
When several more months passed without any housing provision, the situation escalated dramatically. On June 25, 2025, the victims visited Dinesh Kumar's residence to demand answers and a refund. The FIR alleges that during this visit, the victims were subjected to harassment, robbery, threats, and were forcibly driven away from the premises. This traumatic experience left the victims feeling vulnerable and cheated.
Frustrated by the lack of resolution and the alleged criminal behavior, the victims approached the local police to file a complaint. However, the police initially failed to take any concrete action, prompting the victims to seek judicial recourse. It was only after the court's intervention and direct orders that the FIR was officially registered at the Chakeri police station.
Official Response and Investigation
Station In-charge Ajay Prakash Mishra confirmed the registration of the FIR based on the written complaint submitted by the victims. "An FIR has been registered on the written complaint and the matter will be investigated and action taken," stated Mishra, acknowledging the seriousness of the allegations. The police are now tasked with investigating the claims of fraud, harassment, and threats, and determining the culpability of the accused father-son duo.
This case highlights critical issues of trust exploitation and the vulnerability of individuals seeking affordable housing under government schemes. The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana, designed to uplift the economically weaker sections, has unfortunately become a tool for fraudsters in this instance. The victims, primarily labourers and low-income individuals, have suffered significant financial loss and emotional distress.
The judicial system's role in ensuring justice is paramount, as seen in the court's order to file the FIR. The investigation will now focus on recovering the defrauded money and holding the accused accountable under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for cheating, criminal breach of trust, and intimidation. This incident serves as a cautionary tale for citizens to verify the credentials of individuals offering scheme-related services and to report suspicious activities promptly to authorities.
