06 January,2011 06:59 AM IST | | Kaumudi Gurjar
Police say travel company promised religious trips for R35,000, ignored calls once customers paid up
The Khadak police have booked cases against two tour operators belonging to Eastward Company on charges of cheating. They allegedly fooled people by promising to arrange tours to Israel, Egypt and Jordan for just Rs 35,000 each.
Cases have been booked against tour operators Sanjay Genu Bansode alias Sunny Prasad Kothari and Dilip Balusingh Ahire. Both were allegedly involved in the running of the company situated at Ajmera Complex in Bhavani Peth. Police have registered a complaint of cheating and criminal conspiracy against the duo under IPC sections 420 and 34.
According to the complainant Bhagwan Wagh (48), who works in a private company, he came across a brochure by Eastward Company that arranges tours to Israel, Egypt and Jordan. The brochure allegedly advertised that they arranged for tours to important religious locations in these countries and also claimed to have funding from Christian charitable trusts to arrange tours at cheaper rates.
Police Sub-Inspector Kadam said, "We are questioning Bansode. The duo told Wagh that if he wanted to go on a tour immediately, he would have to pay Rs 40,000 per person. But since Wagh agreed to go on tour after one year, they agreed to take only Rs 35,000. But after paying the money, the duo ignored his calls. That is when Wagh approached Khadak police station to register a complaint."
The police said other individuals cheated of Rs 35,000 by the duo are: Suresh Rafayal Pandit, Subhash Yohan Pandit, Pramila Tayde, Vishwas Kate, Sachin Sonawane. The duo also cheated Ramesh Vaman Thorat of Rs 90,060, Arun Gogal Gaikwad of Rs 40,000, Marks Lahuji Parkhe and his wife of Rs 70,000 and Ashok Madhukar Khandagle's family of Rs 1,05,000.
Kadam said, "The duo used to announce about these tours in the church. Nine people have approached us so far but we suspect the duo might have cheated over a hundred."
