Police have registered a cheating case against Gujarat-based senior journalist Mahesh Langa, who is already in jail in an alleged Goods and Services Tax (GST) scam, for allegedly duping a businessman of Rs 28.68 lakh, said a senior official on Tuesday.This is the third First Information Report (FIR) registered against Langa after his arrest earlier this month by the Ahmedabad police’s crime branch in the alleged GST scam.
On October 23, a second FIR was registered against the journalist by the Gandhinagar police following the recovery of “incriminating” documents of the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) from his possession during raids, said Ahmedabad Commissioner of Police GS Malik.
Langa, who worked with a leading newspaper in Gujarat, was sent to judicial custody two weeks ago after his police remand in the GST “fraud” case came to an end.
“We have now registered an FIR of cheating against Langa for allegedly duping a businessman of Rs 28.68 lakh. When the complainant sought his money back, Langa allegedly warned him, saying he ‘can damage his business through negative media coverage citing his political influence and media connections’,” said Malik.
As per the case details, the complainant is engaged in the business of advertising and he came in contact with the journalist nearly two years ago, said the police commissioner at a press conference.
“Langa portrayed himself as an influential figure with extensive media and government contacts. Langa offered to assist the complainant with his advertising business through his connections and positive news coverage. He then borrowed Rs 23 lakh from the businessman in June and promised to repay him in cash,” informed Malik.