Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jun 11: In a shocking case of betrayal and fraud, an 82-year-old retired professor of the prestigious IIT-Bombay was allegedly defrauded of assets worth Rs 6 crore by his own caretaker, who gained his trust over several years and manipulated him into signing over four high-value flats in Powai.
The victim, Manmohan Agarwal, an electrical engineer who served as a professor at IIT-B for decades, had been residing alone at the Glen Heights building in Hiranandani Gardens since 2005. With fading eyesight and minimal family contact, he fell prey to 36-year-old Nikita Naik, who entered his life in 2017 posing as a sincere caretaker.
According to Powai police, Naik's deceit was systematic and cold-blooded. Over eight years, she not only took control of the professor’s day-to-day life but also his finances. Entrusted with his ATM card, she allegedly siphoned off Rs 1.3 crore from his bank account, looted jewellery worth Rs 2 crore from his locker, and in a brazen move, got four flats—estimated at Rs 4 crore—transferred to her name through forged gift deeds.
Police say Naik exploited Agarwal’s poor vision and isolation. In February 2025, she admitted him to an old age home in Vikhroli under the guise of care. Later in April, she took him out citing medical reasons, only to get documents signed that transferred ownership of his properties. She even opened a bank locker in her name on May 6, where she deposited Rs 5 lakh in cash, jewellery, and the flats’ legal papers.
The fraud came to light in June when Agarwal’s son—who lives in Pimpri, Pune, along with the professor’s wife—visited Mumbai after learning about his father’s condition. Disturbed by what he discovered, a police complaint was swiftly lodged, leading to Naik’s detention.
A case has been registered at the Powai police station under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, including theft, criminal breach of trust, and cheating.
Police are continuing their investigation and are interrogating the accused for further revelations. This incident has sent shockwaves through the local academic and residential communities, raising concerns over the vulnerability of elderly citizens living alone.