The CEO of a Pune-based IT firm was apprehended as part of an investigation into a purported job scam that has resulted in numerous interns and employees being left jobless and unpaid. Harshal Thakare was taken into custody on June 4, as per the Hinjewadi Police, which operates under the Pimpri-Chinchwad Police Commissionerate. He faces charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust due to complaints lodged by former staff members.

Senior Police Inspector Balaji Pandhare confirmed the arrest, stating that Thakare was being held for allegedly deceiving employees under the pretext of providing jobs while collecting payments from them. Following his arrest, he was presented before a local court and is currently in police custody until June 8.

The police highlighted that, while Thakare has been arrested, a search is underway for additional suspects who have been identified. Ongoing investigations will also seek to determine whether other individuals may be implicated in this situation.

Background of the Complaint

The investigation was prompted by a complaint from a 25-year-old intern, which led to the registration of a First Information Report (FIR). The FIR names Thakare along with the company’s Head of Training and Development and an HR manager. Charges filed against them fall under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions related to criminal breach of trust and cheating.

As of now, more than thirty interns and employees have approached law enforcement, with further complainants expected as the news spreads. The firm operates out of its divisional office located in Hinjewadi Phase II, while its registered head office is based in Noida.

Allegations indicate that the firm collected Rs 15,000 from recruits for the provision of laptops, yet allegedly failed to meet its obligations in terms of paying stipends and salaries. Complaints have emerged revealing that numerous individuals have not received their salaries for periods ranging from one month to three months.

Response and Investigation Developments

The Forum for IT Employees (FITE) has also become involved in the situation, asserting that they were alerted to the issue by numerous employees seeking help. FITE chief Pavanjit Mane stated that they approached the Hinjewadi Police to file an FIR against the company’s management after receiving complaints from multiple interns.

Mane further alleged that salary payments had ceased for employees several months ago, despite repeated assurances from the management regarding future payments. According to him, while the company initially honoured salary commitments to new employees last year, these payments stopped in January. The management reportedly offered new payment dates whenever employees raised concerns, yet these promises were allegedly never fulfilled.

The investigation is proceeding to ascertain the total number of individuals affected by the alleged fraud. Authorities aim to trace financial transactions and discover any additional individuals associated with the case. The scale of misappropriation is reportedly larger than initially suspected, with claims that funds were collected from hundreds of individuals while salary arrears continued to build.

Long or Short, get news the way you like. No ads. No redirections. Download Newspin and Stay Alert, The CSR Journal Mobile app, for fast, crisp, clean updates!

App Store –  https://apps.apple.com/in/app/newspin/id6746449540 

Google Play Store – https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.inventifweb.newspin&pcampaignid=web_share