Conman gets book released by Uttarakhand CM, days later dupes jeweller's wife of Rs 1.75 cr

A conman who recently got his book released by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been arrested for allegedly duping a jeweller's wife of cash and jewellery worth Rs 1.75 crore, officials said on Monday.

Mahendra Rode alias Yogi Priyavrat Animesh, who masquerading as a sadhu duped the woman, was arrested from Cottage no 21 of Nature Villa in Lal Tappar area late on Sunday night, Rishikesh DSP Dinesh Chandra Dhaundiyal said.

Gold and silver jewellery worth nearly Rs 10 lakh were also recovered from his possession, he said.

The conman had got his book titled 'Manas Moti', on spiritual and moral values, released by Uttarakhand Chief Minister Dhami at the Bijapur guest house in Dehradun on July 9, according to an official release.