Pune: Rural police of Pune on Tuesday arrested a gang of nine women in a connection of ‘fake marriages racket’. The gang allegedly cheated number of men through fake marriages. Even two men have been arrested in the case. The women for fake marriage allegedly demanded gold jewellery, money before fleeing.

The fake marriage racket was brought to light by the Local Crime Branch (LCB) of Pune rural police.

The arrested suspects have been identified as Jyoti Patil (35), who was the prime accused who run the racket. The others are identified as Vidya Khandale (27), Mahananda Kasle (39), Rupali Banpatte (37), Kalavati Banpatte (25), Sarika Giri (33), Swati Sabale (24), Mona Salunke (28), Payal Sabale (28). Police have also arrested two men who helped them to run the racket. All the gang members were remanded to police custody by the court.

GANG OF NINE WOMEN AND TWO MEN

Jyoti Patil, who was the ‘head’ of the gang had approached one-man stating that a woman from a poor family is ready to get married to him. However, in the first week of this month, the man’s family members rushed to the police complaining the woman he was going to get married to had fled after stealing cash from the residence.

After the woman and her friends were arrested by the Crime Branch, police found that the woman was already married and had changed her name. The police have arrested nine women and two men of this gang. The women have confessed to cheating at least five men in this case.

According to the information given by Police Inspector Padmakar Ghanwat, Jyoti Patil used to find out such men who wished to get married and informed them about girls from poor families wishing to get married. The gang used to demand Rs 2-3 lakh on the pretext of giving jewellery to the poor family and the girl who is ready to get married. After spending few days with these men, these women used to escape with cash and jewellery.

Meanwhile, Abhinav Deshmukh, Superintendent of Police (Pune Rural) has made a request that people who have fallen prey for the fraud should rush to Pune Rural police with information.