Cops clueless in cheating case involving US citizen

The case was registered in May last year on the complaint of Patricia Craig,an author and cultural event producer with a Master’s degree in Cultural Studies,who has been researching about Chandigarh since 2006. In 2010,she was awarded a prestigious grant to produce a book about the city. After organizing an open discussion in 2011 with eminent foreign architects and former minister Pawan Bansal,she was lured into investing in a project that would contribute to the cultural elevation of the city.

Craig alleges she invested Rs 91 lakh with the accused to develop a centre for research to accommodate foreign practicing architects and researchers in Chandigarh and develop meaningful and productive exchange with the city.

However,after discovering in October 2011 that the company was fraudulent,she demanded her money back. After Arshad Khan’s death in January 2012,she was given cheques signed by Seema Khutten for Rs 71 lakh and Rs 20 lakh,of which the Rs 71 lakh cheque was dishonoured.

The Chandigarh police had then registered a case of criminal breach of trust,cheating and criminal conspiracy under the IPC about 4 months after Khan’s demise.

UT Inspector General of Police R P Upadhyaya said,“We have been clueless on the location or movement of the accused,and have not been able to find any links which would disclose their location. Hence,we have announced a reward of Rs. 1 lakh on the Khutten sisters”.