Bengaluru: A 45-year-old businessman was allegedly cheated of Rs 25 lakh by three persons who promised to secure an MBBS seat for his daughter in Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences (KIMS). However, the accused took money from him last year but neither secured the seat nor returned the amount.According to a complaint filed by Lal Babu at the Banashankari police station on Feb 28, the accused include Dr. Sharath KP, who allegedly claimed to be the president of KIMS, along with Shamsher Baig, Syed Tabrez, and others.Babu’s daughter, after completing her PUC, appeared for the National Level Test (NLT) examination with aspirations of pursuing an MBBS degree. In June 2025, Babu came into contact with Shamsher Baig through a mutual acquaintance, Syed Tabrez.The two reportedly met at Hazrat Yakeen Shah Wali Dargah in Sampangiramanagar. During the meeting, Shamsher Baig introduced Babu over the phone to Dr. Sharath KP, who assured him that he could secure a medical seat for his daughter.Following the telephonic conversation, Babu and his son visited Sharath on June 24 at KIMS, located in 2nd Phase, Banashankari. Sharath met them in a conference hall inside the campus, introduced himself as the “president,” and allegedly convinced Babu of his credentials by showing an identity card. He then reportedly collected the girl’s original SSLC and PUC marks cards, her NLT examination certificate, and her PAN card. The following day, Babu was asked to meet the accused at a hotel near Basaveshwara Circle, where they informed him that a donation of Rs 25 lakh was required to secure the seat. Trusting their assurances, Babu began making payments in instalments. He initially transferred Rs 50,000 on the same day through a digital payment application, followed by several bank transfers amounting to Rs 10 lakh between June 26 and July 4 last year to Sharath.The complainant alleged that after receiving these payments, the accused produced fake receipts, purportedly issued by a department of the state govt, and presented them as genuine to persuade him to pay the remaining amount. Subsequently, the balance of Rs 15 lakh was allegedly handed over in cash to Sharath, Shamsher Baig, and Syed Tabrez on July 4, Sept 27, and Dec 25.Despite collecting Rs 25 lakh, the accused neither secured the promised medical seat nor returned the money. Babu later discovered that Sharath was not the president of KIMS as claimed. Alleging that the trio had intended to cheat him from the outset by making false promises, Babu approached police. A case has been registered under Sections 318 (cheating), 319 (cheating by personation), 336 (forgery) and 340 (forged document or electronic record and using it as genuine) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The accused are absconding.
