Gorakhpur (Uttar Pradesh): A bizarre incident unfolded in Gorakhpur when a driver fabricated a robbery story to cover up his plan to steal ₹9.7 lakh from his employer in order to fund his upcoming wedding. The Gorakhpur Police cracked the case within 24 hours, exposing the plot and recovering the entire stolen amount.

Driver’s fake robbery claim

According to officials, Tunnu Prajapati, a driver employed by Aditya Chaudhary, a farm equipment trader from Farenda in Maharajganj, lodged a complaint claiming that four unidentified men intercepted his vehicle and robbed him near BRD Medical College while he was returning after collecting payment from a client.

The alleged robbery triggered a swift police investigation, with multiple teams deployed to verify the driver’s account and identify the supposed culprits.

Police investigation raises doubts

However, inconsistencies in Tunnu’s statements soon caught the attention of investigators. Surveillance footage from nearby CCTV cameras and witness testimonies contradicted his version of events.

Superintendent of Police (City) Krishna Kumar Vishnoi said,

“The driver told us he was waylaid by four men who took the cash and fled. But our analysis of CCTV footage revealed no such incident occurred in that area. His movements didn’t match his claim.”

Upon further questioning, Prajapati broke down and confessed that he had staged the robbery with the help of a friend to raise money for his wedding expenses.

Arrests and recovery

Acting promptly on his confession, police arrested both Tunnu Prajapati and his accomplice late Thursday night. The entire stolen amount of ₹9.70 lakh was recovered from his residence.

Police said that Prajapati had hidden the cash inside a cupboard at his home and had planned to slowly use it for his marriage and related arrangements.

“He admitted he wanted to use the money for his upcoming wedding and thought fabricating a robbery would divert suspicion. We recovered the entire amount and are taking further legal action,” the SP added.

Case registered and legal proceedings underway

A case has been registered against the accused under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including criminal breach of trust and providing false information to mislead the police.

The authorities also appreciated the investigative team for solving the case in less than a day, noting that swift action prevented potential misuse of the funds.

Employer’s reaction

Aditya Chaudhary, the employer, expressed both relief and disappointment after learning about his driver’s actions.

“He had been with me for years, and I trusted him completely. It’s disheartening to see someone take such a step for personal reasons,” Chaudhary told reporters.

He added that he was thankful to the Gorakhpur Police for recovering the full amount so quickly.

Lesson in accountability

The incident serves as a reminder of how personal desperation can lead to poor decisions, especially when financial or emotional pressures are involved. Police officials have urged people to seek lawful means to address financial needs rather than resorting to deceit or crime.

With the accused now in judicial custody, the investigation has been formally closed, and the recovered cash has been returned to the rightful owner after verification.