In a significant development, the Chowk police in Varanasi have apprehended a 45-year-old woman from Haryana, Richa Bhargava, in connection with a major financial fraud case. The arrest, made on January 7, relates to allegations of cheating a local trader out of a substantial sum of Rs 35 lakh.
The Arrest and Charges
Richa Bhargava, a resident of Narayan Katra, Nichibagh, was taken into custody from the Karim Restaurant near TDI Mall in the Kundli police station area of Sonipat district, Haryana. The police have initiated the process to bring her to Varanasi for further legal proceedings.
She has been booked under several sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including Section 316(5) for criminal breach of trust, Section 318(4) for cheating, and Section 61(2)A for criminal conspiracy. This arrest follows the earlier apprehension of her husband, Sharad Bhargava, in 2025 for his involvement in the same case.
Modus Operandi of the Accused Couple
The fraudulent activities came to light after a trader, Ghanshyam Prasad Chaudhary, filed a formal complaint. Chaudhary, representing the reputable wholesale paper firm Sharthak Vanijya India Private Limited, alleged that the couple conducted business through various companies with a registered office in Nichibagh.
After gaining the firm's trust, the Bhargavas accumulated outstanding dues worth Rs 35 lakh for paper goods supplied during business transactions. Despite repeated demands and reminders, they consistently stalled the payment. The complainant further stated that the couple eventually locked their offices and residence and fled Varanasi, cutting off all contact.
A Wider Web of Deception
Police investigations have revealed that this is not an isolated incident. The husband-wife duo is suspected of having duped crores of rupees from a large number of traders not only in Varanasi but also in other districts.
Their alleged scam operated under the guise of supplying printing press materials and promising to secure government contracts. Authorities have discovered that multiple cases are already registered against the couple at Chetganj and Lanka police stations in Varanasi, indicating a pattern of similar fraudulent activities targeting the trading community.
The arrest of Richa Bhargava marks a crucial step in unraveling what appears to be a widespread financial fraud network. The police continue their probe to ascertain the full extent of the losses suffered by traders and to bring all involved to justice.
