The Dharavi Police have arrested a wanted accused in connection with cheating a young man by luring him with the promise of a government job. The accused, identified as Nitin Chandrashekhar Deshmukh, was absconding in the case and is currently in police custody for further investigation.
According to police officials, Deshmukh allegedly claimed to have close ties with several political leaders and ministers in the state. He also falsely projected himself as the Nashik District Chief of the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) faction led by Uddhav Thackeray. Police believe that his arrest may help unravel similar cases of job fraud.
The co-accused in the case, Kiran Ramdas Satpute, who is a relative of the complainant, is also named in the FIR.
The complainant, Prathamesh Bodkhe, resides in Dharavi with his family. His father works as a government security guard. In August 2024, a recruitment advertisement was issued for the post of Assistant Clerk in the Municipal Corporation. Prathamesh had applied for the post but did not appear for the examination despite receiving the hall ticket.
In January 2025, his cousin Kiran Satpute contacted him and introduced him to Nitin Deshmukh, claiming that Deshmukh was a well-connected politician with strong links in Mantralaya and could secure him a government job. Satpute also claimed that Deshmukh’s influence was such that “no one could refuse his word.”
Deshmukh allegedly assured Prathamesh that he would secure him a government job in exchange for money and promised a full refund if the job did not materialise.
During a phone conversation, when Prathamesh offered to transfer the money online, Deshmukh refused to accept payment directly into his own bank account, citing Income Tax scrutiny. Instead, he instructed the complainant to transfer the amount to different bank accounts.
Trusting the duo, Prathamesh transferred a total of ₹9.10 lakh into multiple bank accounts as directed.
In July 2025, Deshmukh allegedly demanded an additional ₹2 lakh, stating that more money was required to secure the job. When Prathamesh refused to pay, Deshmukh reportedly told him that he would not get the job and refused to return the money already paid.
The accused allegedly abused the complainant over the phone and threatened to kill him if he continued to demand a refund.
After realising he had been cheated, Prathamesh approached the Dharavi Police and lodged a complaint against both Deshmukh and Satpute.
Following verification of the complaint, police registered a case against the duo for cheating and criminal breach of trust. A search operation was launched to trace the accused.
After remaining absconding for nearly three to three-and-a-half months, Nitin Deshmukh was finally apprehended by the Dharavi Police. Further investigation is underway to determine whether he was involved in similar fraudulent schemes.