Pune: Army Deserter Arrested for Conning Youth with Fake Recruitment Promises
Camp, 24th July 2024: A youth seeking recruitment in the army was deceived by an army deserter who demanded Rs 3 lakh for the promise of recruitment. The scam came to light after the Military Intelligence (MI) of the Army’s Southern Command, in a joint operation with Pune Police’s Lashkar police station, apprehended the accused, Lance Naik Shatrughan Tiwari (26), from Kalyan, Thane.
An FIR has been registered against Tiwari at Bundgarden police station under sections 318 (cheating) and 62 (punishment for attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of the Bharatiya Nyay Samhita (BNS).
According to the FIR, Tiwari offered the complainant’s friend a recruitment position in the Indian Army in exchange for a Rs 3 lakh bribe, with half to be paid upfront and the remainder after training. The complainant, who had surpassed the age limit for army recruitment but still hoped to join, was also approached by Tiwari with the same demand. Despite suspecting Tiwari’s intentions, the complainant maintained contact due to his desperation for a job.
As doubts about Tiwari grew, the complainant contacted Pune’s Southern Command Intelligence Unit. A trap was set in the Camp area, leading to Tiwari’s capture.
“Tiwari went on leave but did not return to his Army unit, leading to his being declared a deserter in October last year. He had been deceiving gullible youths by showing his Army identity card and promising them recruitment. We have found documents of many youths on his mobile phone. Further investigation is ongoing,” an officer stated.
