Daijiworld Media Network - Kasargod

Kasargod, Oct 7: A DYFI leader and school teacher, Sachitha Rai, has been booked by Kumble Police for allegedly running a scam that promised central government jobs.

Rai, known for her oratory skills and sharp criticism of BJP-RSS ideology, is accused of defrauding a young woman by collecting Rs 15 lac under the pretext of securing her a clerk position at the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute (CPCRI), a unit under the Union Ministry of Agriculture.

Rai was booked under Section 420 of IPC (cheating) by Kumble Police, who said she had amassed about Rs 2 crore from various job aspirants. Of this, she transferred Rs 72 lac to a contact in Karnataka, purportedly to help secure the promised jobs. Investigators suspect the individual receiving the money might be linked to the BJP or at least claimed such connections.

The Democratic Youth Federation of India (DYFI), the youth wing of CPM, clarified that Rai was removed from its Kasargod district committee 10 days ago. According to DYFI district joint secretary Sivaprasad A V, her removal was unrelated to the allegations, stating it occurred after she moved to Kozhikode following her marriage and maternity leave.

Rai was booked after a complaint was lodged by Nishmitha Shetty, a 24-year-old from Kidhur, located 20 km from Kasargod. Shetty had transferred Rs 15.05 lac to Rai in multiple transactions via bank and GPay between May 31 and August 23, 2023.

Shetty learned about Rai through another individual seeking employment and trusted her promises of securing a job at CPCRI. Despite Rai's apparent wealth, Shetty had to borrow money from her husband and pawn her jewelry to raise the funds, not expecting deceit from a teacher.

After numerous failed attempts to recover her money, Shetty reported the issue to Kumble Police. She also mentioned that Rai allegedly duped another individual by promising a teaching position at the Central University of Kerala. Police expect more complaints to surface against Rai.

A native of Sheni in Enmakaje grama panchayat, Rai hails from a family with strong CPM ties. Her father is also a well-known speaker at party functions. Rai previously worked as an ad hoc teacher at Govt HSS Angadimogar before securing a permanent position at an aided lower-primary school in Badoor under Puthige grama panchayat.

She is currently on maternity leave after giving birth two months ago but remains active in party affairs, according to Anitha M, a Puthige panchayat member from Badoor ward.