Even after five months, a police complaint, four visits to the Janta Darbar and several pleas later, Usha Devi from Delhi is stuck at Ranchi, waiting for the day that authorities make a move against the man who allegedly cheated her in the name of getting her a job.
On her fourth visit to the Janta Darbar this Wednesday, Usha told her story to Woman and Child Development and Social Welfare Minister louis Marandi, who attended to plaintiffs from all over the State who came to the public court.
“Back in 2013, my brother-in-law Shyam lal once used my mobile phone to call one Reyaz Ahmed Ansari, a resident of Doranda in Ranchi, after which he called me back and offered to find me a job in lieu of some money. I came to Ranchi four times to handover the money he used to ask for at his home, which adds up to more than Rs 90,000,” Usha told the Minister.
She continued, “Reyaz gave me certain papers which he touted as some kind of appointment letter. Those documents turned out to be just bogus paperwork when I had them checked. Sensing foul play, I demanded my money back but that did not incited any concrete answer from him. So I filed a First Information Report at Doranda police station against him.”
Usha even blamed Doranda police of apathetic and rude behaviour towards her and favouring Reyaz. “Sometime after filing a case, I was told that Reyaz is absconding, but I found him there when I went to his locality. I called up Doranda Officer in-Charge and then the Investigating Officer of my case, but they callously turned my request down, saying that that they are not liable to act merely on my phone call and that they have other cases to take care of,” she said.
The police officials agreed to mediate between Usha and Reyaz, under which he agreed to pay Rs 40,000 to her. “He returned only Rs 4,000 and promised to handover the rest later, but did not. I have been begging for alms at Ranchi and Hatia railway stations to make ends meet for the last five months,” Usha said.
listening to her predicament, Marandi assured her that lawful action will be taken against the culprit. For the time being, Usha is on her own in Ranchi, with no means to contact her family in Delhi.
The Social Welfare Minister received a total of 156 complaints at the public court, related to financial aid for education purposes, irregularities in government system, family disputes and more.
Priya Kumari, one of the State Intermediate toppers for Commerce stream from Ursuline Convent School came before Marandi with requests of financial help so she and her younger sister Riya can continue their studies.
“My father used to be street vendor and was removed in the recent anti-encroachment drive. This has made it difficult for us to continue with our education,” Priya said.
She has applied for Bachelors in Accounts at a renowned Ranchi-based college, whereas her sister, a Matriculation student, intends to continue her studies at Ursuline Convent School. Marandi assured her that all possible help will be extended to the sisters.
“State Government is dedicated to solve public issues and organising Janta Darbars regularly establishes this fact. Although sometimes, resolution of some matters takes time, but people should be patient as all complaints will be dealt with,” said Marandi.