Mumbai News: Man Posing As Mantralaya Official Held For ₹6.5 Lakh Fraud; Remanded To Police Custody Till August 13

Mumbai Police have arrested a man for allegedly cheating a grocery shop owner of ₹10 lakh under the pretext of arranging a government tender. The accused, identified as Pravin Tanaji Rade, a resident of New Poonima Apartments near Jaslok Hospital, Pedder Road, was arrested from Worli. The Esplanade Court has remanded him in police custody till August 13, following the expiry of his first remand period.

Victim Was a Neighbour and Regular Customer

According to the complaint filed by Narendrakumar Nagbhushan Manchikanti (47), who runs Maniki New Store in the same apartment complex, Rade was a regular customer. Over time, he allegedly gained the complainant’s trust by claiming he worked as a PA to a Deputy Secretary in the Maharashtra Secretariat and had strong connections to help secure government tenders.

Use of Official-Looking Vehicle to Build Credibility

Police said Rade frequently travelled in a Toyota Innova (MH-43-BN-6655) fitted with an amber beacon light, telling people it was an official government vehicle assigned for his use. This, along with his purported Mantralaya links, allegedly convinced the complainant of his authenticity.

The ₹10 Lakh Loan Request

On May 2, 2024, Rade allegedly approached the complainant seeking a short-term loan of ₹10 lakh, claiming he urgently needed funds to submit a tender and promising attractive returns. Believing him, the complainant transferred ₹50,000 via Google Pay, followed by ₹5 lakh and ₹4.5 lakh through online bank transfers to Rade’s bank account over three consecutive days.

Partial Repayment, Repeated Excuses

Although Rade returned ₹3.5 lakh in small instalments between May 9, 2024, and June 17, 2025, he allegedly kept delaying repayment of the remaining ₹6.5 lakh, citing various excuses. When the complainant later visited Mantralaya to verify his claims, officials confirmed that no such person worked there.

FIR Registered and Items Seized

A case was registered under Sections 318(4), 319(2), 204, and 205 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Gamdevi Police Station. During the arrest, police seized the orange beacon used in the crime and a Vivo mobile phone. The Innova car was later produced before the police by its owner, who had rented it to Rade for ₹90,000 a month and was not involved in the offence.

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History of Similar Offences

Investigations revealed that Rade has multiple prior cheating cases against him:

• Pusegaon Police Station (Satara) – for posing as a Section Officer in the Education Department.

• Digras Police Station (Yavatmal) – for posing as a Secretary in the Health Department.

• Gamdevi Police Station (Mumbai) – reckless driving case.

Ongoing Investigation

Police are still attempting to recover the remaining ₹6.5 lakh, trace the source of the beacon light and the fake Maharashtra government nameplate, and identify other possible victims of similar frauds.