Puducherry police have initiated a major crackdown on a high-profile job racket, registering a case against a senior official from Pondicherry University. K Mahesh, the Deputy Registrar (Public Relations), stands accused of orchestrating a scam that defrauded multiple individuals of a staggering Rs 40 lakh under the false pretence of securing nursing positions at the prestigious Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research (JIPMER).
The Elaborate Scam and the Accused's Escape
According to police reports, the fraudulent scheme began to unravel after victims filed formal complaints. Sensing legal trouble, K Mahesh applied for leave and subsequently absconded, evading authorities. His disappearance came shortly after he learned that cases had been registered against him by the police, vigilance, and anti-corruption departments. A police team has now been dispatched to Bengaluru following a tip-off that Mahesh may be hiding at a relative's residence there.
How the Fraudulent Operation Worked
The scam operated through an intermediary. Investigations reveal that a man named Rajkumar from Govindasalai approached individuals, claiming he had connections with a top official at JIPMER. He convinced people that he could secure nursing jobs at the central institute for a price.
One of the victims, Muralidaran from Mangalam, paid Rajkumar Rs 5 lakh hoping to get a nurse job for his daughter. Several others followed suit, handing over substantial sums of money with the same hope. When the promised jobs failed to materialise and the money was not returned, Muralidaran filed a formal complaint with the Odiansalai police station.
Police Investigation Uncovers the Mastermind
The police acted swiftly on the complaint, arresting Rajkumar. During interrogation, Rajkumar confessed to collecting approximately Rs 40 lakh from various aspirants and passing it on to K Mahesh. Mahesh had allegedly assured Rajkumar that he could arrange the nursing appointments, leveraging his previous position. Mahesh had served as a registrar on deputation at JIPmer, a role he apparently used to lend credibility to the scam.
The police have now officially booked K Mahesh based on this confession and other evidence. A manhunt is underway to locate and apprehend the absconding official. This case highlights a serious breach of trust involving a public university official and a premier medical institute, leaving several families cheated of their hard-earned money.
