Arunachal Police Nab Three in 17 Crore Road Project Fraud

Itanagar: Naharlagun police arrested Toluk Lombi, Dubi Ete, and Rajesh Kumar Singh for a 17 crore fraud linked to a Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana road project. The scheme involved a fake letter claiming a contractor’s pending bill had been paid. The trouble started when the trio demanded 2.40 crore from a contractor to help release his payment. They claimed Singh held sway over central government officials.

The victim received a document confirming his payment was cleared. He checked with the Rural Works Department Chief Engineer’s office and found the letter was a complete sham. Naharlagun Police registered a case last year under sections 318(4) and 35 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Singh tried to kill the FIR in court, but a judge denied his request on August 13.

Police caught Singh in Guwahati on August 25. He spent six days in custody. Superintendent of Police Nyelam Nega said the department is still digging into the roles played by each man. Nega warned contractors to stay sharp. He urged them to verify any claims of political influence directly with the government before handing over cash. "Nega also cautioned contractors and others working on government projects against people claiming to have political or official connections and demanding money to facilitate payments or government work," he said.