IPS officer summoned over husband's financial fraud allegations

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in Mumbai has summoned IPS officer Dr. Rashmi Karandikar for questioning. This is related to alleged property fraud cases involving her husband, Purushottam Chavan. She did not attend a previous session on March 13, and the EOW plans to issue new summons next week. Dr. Karandikar is not accused in these cases. The EOW wants to ask her about financial transactions with Chavan. One businessman, Kedar Degvekar, has alleged that Chavan defrauded him of Rs 3.37 crore by promising a government flat for half its market price. Degvekar made payments between January 2020 and March 2024. Another case involves a Gujarat-based businessman, who claimed he was cheated of Rs 7.42 crore in a similar scheme. This fraud included the promise of development rights certificates from local civic bodies. The fraudulent activities took place between 2015 and 2024. The investigation gained attention after Chavan's arrest in May 2024 for a separate tax scam worth Rs 263 crore, where fake property documents were found. Nishit Mishra, Joint CP of EOW, confirmed the summons but did not share further details. Karandikar's representative mentioned she is in divorce proceedings, citing various reasons including financial issues and her husband's bipolar disorder. Chavan, now in judicial custody, has been linked to collecting over Rs 24.78 crore from 19 victims.