Lagatar24 Desk
Ranchi: In a shocking case of fraud, HEC General Manager (GM) Pramod Kumar Behera has been arrested for allegedly impersonating a 2001 batch IAS officer and cheating over ₹1.25 crore. Ranchi resident Somendra Mandalfiled an FIR against Behera at Dhurwa police station, following which he was taken into custody and sent to jail.
Fraud in the Name of Government Jobs and Land Deals
According to the FIR, Behera promised government jobs and land within HEC premises in exchange for money.
• He claimed to be an IAS officer from the 2001 batch and introduced himself as a Revenue Secretary with close ties to HEC officials.
• Using this false identity, he took money from Mandal in multiple installments, both in cash and via bank transfers, amounting to over ₹1.25 crore.
• The fraud came to light when Mandal pressured Behera to fulfill his promise after receiving payments.
• The complaint also mentions that two other victims, Neeraj Saha and Umesh Kumar, were similarly duped.
