Ujjain, Aug 20 — A Rajasthan‑based jewellery businessman has been arrested for allegedly trapping a woman from Ujjain on the pretext of marriage and making her spend around Rs 1.27 crore on luxury items, police said on Thursday.
The accused, identified as Manish, a resident of Mansarovar in Jaipur, was arrested by Madhavnagar police after investigators traced him to Pali, Rajasthan, using technical surveillance.
Superintendent of Police Pradeep Sharma said the woman, daughter of a businessman, had initially complained that she was made to spend around Rs 35 lakh. However, investigation revealed that the expenditure allegedly linked to the accused had risen to Rs 1.27 crore.
According to police, the woman met Manish when he visited Ujjain from Dewas. They exchanged phone numbers and gradually became close. Manish allegedly promised to marry her and established a physical relationship before gaining her trust.
He then persuaded her to buy expensive goods and frequently got lakhs of rupees transferred to his bank account.
Police said the accused had also opened a jewellery shop, which the woman allegedly visited to meet him. Their association continued for around three to four months.
“Manish used social media and mutual acquaintances to establish contact with women. He allegedly targeted women to finance his expensive lifestyle,” Sharma said.
Police have recovered goods worth around Rs 5 lakh from the accused, including several pairs of shoes, sandals and trolley bags. One pair of shoes alone was worth Rs 21,000, officials said.
The accused frequently changed his mobile numbers and stayed at different rented accommodations, making him difficult to trace. Police eventually located him in Pali through technical evidence and continuous surveillance.
“He frequently changed his mobile numbers and hideouts to evade the police. Technical surveillance and continuous monitoring helped us trace his location and arrest him,” Sharma said.
Police are examining the accused’s mobile phone, social media accounts, bank transactions, cash dealings, online shopping records and documents related to his jewellery business.