The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has filed a charge sheet against businessman Purushottam Chavan, husband of Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Rashmi Karandikar, for allegedly duping a Surat-based textile trader of R7.42 crore. Chavan allegedly lured the trader with a fake contract to supply T-shirts and hoodies to the Maharashtra Police Academy.

Karandikar, currently posted with the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department of Maharashtra Police, has denied any involvement and claimed innocence.  In a written statement submitted to the EOW (a copy of which is with mid-day), Karandikar said she had no control over the bank or Demat accounts allegedly linked to the fraud. “I am a victim of my husband, who misused my hard-earned money,” she stated, adding that she has no connection to the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik. Karandikar further clarified that she owns no movable or immovable property jointly with her husband and had no role in the funds deposited in ICICI Bank or Motilal Oswal accounts.