Daijiworld Media Network – Udupi

Udupi, July 17: A shocking case of fraud has come to light involving a Dalit woman named Susheela, a resident of Januvarkatte in Billadi village. She allegedly posed as the president of the Challenging Foundation and claimed to head a Dalit organisation named Bheem Gharjane.

Addressing the media, victim Malathi Chandrashekar Molahalli said, “Susheela introduced herself under these titles and promised that by depositing Rs 1.6 lac into her organisation, the victim would be eligible for a loan of Rs 16 lac, including a government subsidy of Rs 8 lac. Trusting her words, the victim handed over Rs 1.6 lac”

Malathi further stated, “Susheela claimed that the GST amount had to be paid in advance to receive the loan. When the victim expressed her inability to pay, Susheela allegedly persuaded her to hand over her gold ornaments so she could pledge them and pay the required amount. Believing her, the victim gave a 20-gram gold chain and a 4-gram gold ring, estimated to be worth around Rs 1.2 lac. Susheela again contacted the victim stating that a deposit of Rs 50,000 was required to secure the Rs 15 lac loan. As the victim could not arrange the cash, she was persuaded to hand over a coral necklace weighing approximately 31 grams, estimated to be worth Rs 1.5 lac.”

“Following this, Susheela began to avoid contact. She stopped responding to calls, and on one occasion when the victim managed to speak to her, Susheela claimed that the gold was pledged in Brahmavar’s Ramakrishna Society and MCC Society under the victim’s name with the help of her associates Shridhar Poojary and Ganesh. When the victim demanded the loan or the return of her valuables, Susheela allegedly threatened to file a caste-based atrocity case against her and verbally abused her. Reports suggest that Susheela, Shridhar Poojary, and Ganesh have defrauded multiple other individuals using similar tactics, collecting both cash and jewellery,” she stated.

The Kota police station has registered an FIR in the case. Investigations also suggest that Susheela may be involved in illegal activities under the guise of Challenging Foundation, and has pledged jewellery worth an estimated Rs 35–40 lac in various cooperative societies. There is suspicion that this could be part of a larger fraud network operating across the district.

Victims Malathi Chandrashekar Molahalli, Jayalakshmi and Jyothi—whose mother Jalajamba Shetty was also a victim—along with their representative Tulsi and Amitha from Halladi were present at the press meet.