Advocate dupes friend of 22L

Chandigarh: Police have booked an advocate of the Punjab and Haryana high court for allegedly duping his friend of Rs 22 lakh on the pretext of providing a job of superintendent at the high court.Dinesh Kumar, a resident of Bhiwani, said Gopal Soni, the advocate, met him in Bhiwani in February 2021 and told him he had been selected for Haryana Judicial Services and would be appointed to the post of a judge in the high court. In March 2021, the accused allegedly claimed there were some posts in the high court to be filled through a secret selection process. Kumar alleged the accused handed him some forms claiming they were not available online and meant for posts that judges fill by using their discretion. Trusting him, Kumar said he filled the application form and gave him Rs 15 lakh. The accused allegedly told him he would get a salary of Rs 2.25 lakh per month.Kumar allegedly paid Soni Rs 3 lakh more on March 31, 2021. On November 12, 2021, Kumar received a joining letter on his WhatsApp and email ID. Kumar said the accused gave him some phone numbers claiming they were of a person working with the registrar and demanded more money as advance rent of an accommodation to be provided by the high court and to open a salary account. Kumar alleged he paid him Rs 7.25 lakh more. Kumar said when he inquired at his own level, he found the appointment letter was sent from a fake email ID. Later, he filed a complaint at the SSP public window. After verifying the facts, police registered a case. tnn