The police on Saturday arrested Union Minister Pralhad Joshi’s brother based on a cheating complaint lodged by a former JD(S) MLA’s wife.
Gopal Joshi and a woman named Vijayalakshmi Joshi were booked by Basaveshwaranagar police on Thursday night.
Gopal’s son Ajay Joshi has also been named in the FIR. The complaint was lodged by Sunita Chavan, wife of former Nagthan MLA Devavand Phool Singh Chavan, who lost the 2023 Assembly election. She alleged that Gopal Joshi duped her of Rs two crore on the pretext of securing her family a BJP ticket to contest the May Lok Sabha elections.
The arrest follows a complaint filed by Sunita Chauhan, wife of former Janata Dal (Secular) MLA Devanand Chauhan, who accused him of fraud and violations of the SC/ST Act.
In her complaint, Sunita Chauhan alleged that Gopal Joshi had promised to secure a ticket for her husband in the upcoming elections after accepting two crore rupees. However, neither the ticket was provided nor was the money returned. Following the investigation, police proceeded to arrest Gopal Joshi.
Meanwhile, Union Minister Prahlad Joshi held a press conference, asserting that he has had no contact with his brother for over 30 years. He stated that he had filed an affidavit in court and issued a public notice declaring that any claims made by individuals purporting to be his brother, relative, or friend involved in financial dealings would not be binding on him.
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