Twelve individuals have been charged with fraud after relatives of a Bareilly man, who died in a road accident in Saudi Arabia in 2021, allegedly siphoned off his insurance compensation of Rs 56.25 lakh. The case was registered based on a complaint by the victim's father, Abid Raza Khan.
Background of the Case
Majid Raza Khan, a resident of Bareilly, had been working as a car driver in Saudi Arabia since 2018. On February 2, 2021, he died in a road accident. His father, Abid Raza Khan, stated that his nephew Atiq and Atiq's father convinced him that a higher insurance claim could be secured because the other driver was at fault.
Power of Attorney and Claim Process
Abid was persuaded to sign power of attorney documents in Atiq's name. Atiq then collected Majid's documents and pursued the compensation claim in a Saudi court. Initially, Atiq informed Abid about receiving 1 lakh riyals and promised to send the rest later.
Total Compensation and Alleged Fraud
Subsequently, another 1.25 lakh riyals were awarded, bringing the total compensation to 2.25 lakh riyals, equivalent to approximately Rs 56.25 lakh. However, the accused allegedly did not transfer the money to the victim's father. Abid later learned through contacts that the full amount had already been disbursed.
Police Investigation
Police investigations revealed that the money was transferred to multiple accounts linked to Atiq's family members and associates. When Abid demanded his share, he was allegedly threatened. Bareilly SSP Anurag Arya stated, “An FIR under the BNS section of fraud has been registered against all 12 accused. Documents and bank transactions are being examined, and evidence is being sought from Saudi Arabia.”
Accused Details
The accused include the deceased's aunt, uncle, and cousin, among others. The police are currently scrutinizing bank transactions and gathering evidence from Saudi authorities to build the case.
This incident highlights the vulnerabilities of families dealing with overseas deaths and the potential for exploitation by unscrupulous relatives. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal proceedings are expected.
