Jagdish Singh Patani, a retired Deputy Superintendent of Police (SP) and father of Bollywood actor Disha Patani, was allegedly defrauded of ₹25 lakh by five individuals who promised him a prestigious position in a government commission. An FIR was lodged at the Bareilly Kotwali police station on Friday evening, according to police reports.
Accused Named in FIR
Kotwali police station in-charge D.K. Sharma stated, “A case has been registered against Shivendra Pratap Singh, Diwakar Garg, Acharya Jayaprakash of Juna Akhara, Preeti Garg, and one unidentified individual for cheating, criminal intimidation, and extortion.” Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the accused and take strict action, he added.
Allegations of Fraud
In his complaint, Jagdish Patani, a resident of Bareilly’s Civil Lines area, alleged that Shivendra Pratap Singh, a personal acquaintance, introduced him to Diwakar Garg and Acharya Jayaprakash. The accused claimed to have significant political connections and promised Patani a high-ranking position, such as chairman or vice-chairman, in a government commission.
After gaining his trust, the group allegedly collected ₹25 lakh from Patani — ₹5 lakh in cash and ₹20 lakh through bank transfers to three separate accounts. Despite waiting for over three months, Patani saw no progress. When questioned, the accused assured him of returning the money with interest, as per the complaint.
Threats and Intimidation
When Patani demanded his money back, the accused reportedly began issuing threats and exhibiting aggressive behavior. To bolster their false claims of political connections, they allegedly introduced an accomplice as an “Officer on Special Duty” named Himanshu.
Police Investigation
Suspecting a larger conspiracy, Patani filed a formal complaint, leading to the registration of the FIR. Police are investigating the case, with efforts underway to trace and apprehend the accused.
