Hapur Cremation Worker Uncovers Bizarre Insurance Scam
In a shocking incident from Uttar Pradesh's Hapur district, a routine cremation request turned into the exposure of a sophisticated insurance fraud. Two individuals have been detained for allegedly attempting to perform the last rites of a plastic mannequin to illegally claim an insurance payout of Rs 50 lakh.
The Unraveling of the Fake Funeral
The plot fell apart due to the alertness of Nitin, a man who assists with cremations at the ghats in Garhmukteshwar. The event unfolded on November 28, 2025, when four men arrived at the Brijghat area with a body wrapped in cloth, carrying ghee and other items necessary for a funeral.
"The body felt light in weight," Nitin told the police, describing his initial suspicion. When he insisted on seeing the face of the deceased, the men became evasive and started making excuses. Their hesitation confirmed his doubts, prompting him to immediately contact the local authorities.
Upon police intervention, the truth was revealed. Underneath the shroud was not a human body, but a plastic mannequin, meticulously prepared for a fake cremation.
The Mastermind and the Motive
Garhmukteshwar Circle Officer Stuti Singh confirmed the detention of two men, including a Delhi-based businessman, Kamal Somani, and an associate. Two other accomplices managed to flee the scene.
Investigation revealed that Somani was burdened by a massive loan of Rs 50 lakh. To clear this debt, he devised a plan a year prior. With the knowledge of his employee, Anshul Kumar, Somani took out a life insurance policy in Kumar's name.
"He was performing the last rites of the dummy… He wanted to get a death certificate in the name of his employee to pay off the loan," stated Officer Singh. The fraudulent death certificate was the key to unlocking the insurance money.
Investigation and Fallout
The police have registered an FIR and launched a full-scale probe into the matter. When contacted, the employee, Anshul Kumar, claimed to be in Prayagraj and professed no knowledge of the incident, raising further questions for investigators.
This bizarre case highlights the extreme lengths to which individuals can go due to financial desperation and serves as a warning about the intricacies of insurance fraud. The swift action by the cremation worker and the police prevented a significant financial crime.
