Key accused in ₹21.6cr sports complex scam arrested in Delhi

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar police arrested 22-year-old Harshkumar Kshirsagar, the prime accused in the ₹21.6crore Divisional Sports Complex embezzlement case, from the Nizamuddin railway station in New Delhi on Tuesday night.Harshkumar, who had been absconding since the case came to light, was allegedly planning to flee to another state. Police also apprehended his parents — Manisha and Anil Kshirsagar — from Murudeshwar in Karnataka.Harshkumar, who worked as a contract clerk with the Divisional Sports Complex Committee, earned a monthly salary of ₹13,000. However, within six months, he allegedly misappropriated ₹21.59 crore by fraudulently transferring funds from the committee's bank account. He used forged emails and unauthorised netbanking access, with the assistance of Yashoda Shetty, another contract worker.Police commissioner Pravin Pawar told TOI: "With this arrest, we are confident of unearthing all the facts in this case and also arrest other accused, if any, who might have been involved in this scam. We are taking all the steps to make it a watertight case."EOW inspector Sambhaji Pawar said investigations revealed that Harshkumar led a lavish lifestyle financed by the embezzled funds. He purchased a BMW car worth ₹1.35 crore, two Skoda cars worth ₹40 lakh, and a BMW bike worth ₹32 lakh. Additionally, ₹3 crore was found in his bank accounts. His father's four flats, valued at ₹1.2 crore, were also financed using the stolen money, along with a ₹1 crore interior renovation. Harshkumar even imported goods worth ₹50 lakh from China.Harshkumar's alleged accomplice and girlfriend, Arpita Wadkar, was also found to own properties and assets purchased with the embezzled funds. Police found that Harshkumar had gifted her a flat worth ₹1.35 crore near Chikalthana airport, a ₹1.05 crore flat in Mumbai, a ₹15 lakh Skoda car, and multiple highend smartphones.On Wednesday, Harshkumar was presented before the court, which remanded him to police custody until Jan 7, 2025. His parents, who were picked up from Karnataka, were issued notices and later arrested. They are set to be presented in court on Jan 4. Police have also arrested Yashoda Shetty, her husband B K Jeevan, and Web Multi Services manager Nagesh Dongre for their roles in the scam.So far, assets worth ₹10.08 crore have been seized, including flats, vehicles, gold and silver jewellery, and cash. Police established that Harshkumar spent ₹17 crore of the embezzled funds. Investigations revealed that he transferred the money to over 15 accounts and used it to buy luxury goods and real estate.The EOW is conducting daily interrogations, questioning bank officials, sports department employees, and other stakeholders involved in the scam. The investigation also uncovered that Harshkumar registered a ₹1.05 crore flat in Navi Mumbai in Arpita's name and gifted her luxury items.Six individuals, including Harshkumar, Arpita, Yashoda Shetty, and her husband, have been arrested so far. Four of them are currently in police custody, while Harshkumar's parents will be presented in court soon. Police are working to trace the remaining embezzled funds and bring all culprits to justice. So far, assets worth ₹10.08 crore have been seized, including flats, vehicles, gold and silver jewellery, and cash. Police established that Harshkumar spent ₹17 crore of the embezzled funds. Investigations revealed that he transferred the money to over 15 accounts and used it to buy luxury goods and real estate.The EOW is conducting daily interrogations, questioning bank officials, sports department employees, and other stakeholders involved in the scam. The investigation also uncovered that Harshkumar registered a ₹1.05 crore flat in Navi Mumbai in Arpita's name and gifted her luxury items.Six individuals, including Harshkumar, Arpita, Yashoda Shetty, and her husband, have been arrested so far. Four of them are currently in police custody, while Harshkumar's parents will be presented in court soon. Police are working to trace the remaining embezzled funds and bring all culprits to justice.