Surat: A Gandhinagar-based PG hostel owner has been booked for allegedly duping a 30-year-old GST inspector of ₹26.8 lakh. The officer alleged that the hostel owner persuaded her to invest in his business by promising high returns and later threatened to tarnish her reputation when she sought her money back.

According to the FIR, Dimple Jethwa, a GST inspector, came to know accused Sahdev Rathod in February 2023. Rathod portrayed himself as a big businessman and gradually gained her trust by introducing her to people he claimed were part of his network. He allegedly convinced her to invest in his boys’ and girls’ PG accommodation business in Gandhinagar, promising lucrative returns.

Trusting his assurances, Jethwa began transferring money to Rathod in August 2023. Between August and November 2023, she allegedly invested ₹13.8 lakh through multiple transactions.

Though Rathod initially assured her of profits, he later stopped making payments. As per the complaint, when Jethwa visited Gandhinagar seeking an explanation, Rathod allegedly called two men to his office and claimed he had diverted her money to them to help her clear the GPSC examination through their contacts.

Police said that when Jethwa demanded the return of her money, Rathod allegedly threatened to spread rumours within government departments that she had paid money to secure success in the GPSC examination.

Investigators further alleged that Rathod continued to pressure and intimidate her, eventually convincing her to arrange additional funds. In total, Jethwa reportedly paid ₹37 lakh to Rathod.

Later, when Jethwa informed her husband about the transactions, the couple visited Rathod’s office in Gandhinagar, where they reportedly met a woman identified as Trupti Zala. She allegedly told them that Rathod had cheated others also in the past.

The couple later approached Rathod’s father, who reportedly assured them that the money would be repaid. Following repeated follow-ups and threats of police action, Rathod allegedly returned ₹10.20 lakh but failed to repay the remaining amount.

Police have registered a case against the accused and launched an investigation. DeshGujarat