Gangtok ‘stock broker’ accused of duping investors

SNS, Gangtok, 30 October 2014: An investor has lodged a complaint with the East District Police, alleging that a private stock broker has fleeced his money and disappeared from Gangtok recently. 

Patna-based journalist Kundan Kumar yesterday filed a complaint against Ankit Sharda for going incommunicado after collecting Rs 5.25 lakh from him on the pretext of investing in the stock market. 

Mr Sharda operated a brokering firm at MG Marg here and is suspected to have duped many others and absconding some 10 months ago. 

Mr Kumar, working for a news agency in Gangtok during 2009-2010, said he had deposited Rs 5.25 lakh through four cheques in Ankit Sharda’s wife Khusbu Sharda’s account with the ICICI Bank, Gangtok branch, during the period. 

“Everything was normal, until last month, when Kumar tried to contact Sharda for a refund. All attempts to contact him failed,” Mr Kumar said. Mr Sharda is suspected to have withdrawn all the money from his wife’s account, which is now dormant. A neighbour said that the couple shifted from Gangtok around 9-10 months ago. The complainant claimed that Mr Sharda is presently living in Surat in Gujarat, and has demanded that a case of fraud be filed against him. 

Superintendent of Police (East) DB Giri confirmed having received the complaint against Mr Sharda. 

“He may have duped several others around MG Marg area. We will investigate and submit our report to the department for further action. The CID may also probe the case,” he said.