Daijiworld Media Network - Dharwad (SP)
Dharwad, Apr 15: A man from Kalghatagi, who is said to have collected over Rs 400 crore from the people by offering the lure of high rate of interest, has suddenly gone missing. The investors are now spending sleepless nights.
The man, identified as Harsh alias Satyabodha Khasnis, resident of Kalghatagi town, had set up a concern named 'Harsh Enterprises'. He had offered to pay interest of Rs 7,000 every month to the people for every lac of rupees deposited with his firm. As per information, the interest on investments has not been disbursed since the last five months. Harsh left the town with family after locking the firm on April 11, but no one has filed complaint so far. Investors have faith that he would return to Kalghatagi soon and pay their dues.
Harsh, who set up the said firm along with brother, Sanjeev nine years back, had announced plan to pay interest at the rate of six to seven percent every month for every lac of rupees deposited in the firm. People flocked his concern and deposited lacs of rupees. As per an estimate, over Rs 400 crore was deposited with the firm. Harsh used to pay interest promptly to his customers in the past. Many of his customers used to reinvest interest component with the firm to earn more, while many used to invest afresh with it.
After demonetisation measure was announced, Harsh had called a meeting of people to tell the investors that he was facing some problem due to the effect of demonetisation and that he would sort out the issues within two to three months. He also offered one percent commission to customers who introduced new investors to the firm.
Harsh had claimed that he would be investing money collected by him in shares. He established 'Harsh Enterprises' near the town panchayat on Haliyala Road. Then he set up 'Harsh Life Light' at his home near Janata High school, Vidyanagar. Later, he established 'Harsh Entertainment Pvt Ltd' in a house he had bought on Karwar Road, which was meant for producing cinema, it is being claimed. Many say that Harsh, who has invested in about ten new films, is camping at Gandhinagar, Bengaluru to follow up their production. Being too busy, he is unable to pay his customers, they claim. On the other hand, some say that he has failed to pay the people connected with cinema and that all the films have been stuck halfway.
Some rumours say that his location found through cellphone was at Tirupathi, while others said he had withdrawn Rs 20,000 from an ATM at New Delhi. On Friday, there were claims that he was in Yellapur and returning to Kalghatagi with police escort. There have also been rumours which say that he has sold all his property.