Munish Sood
MANDI/SOLAN:
An 88-year-old retired Indian Air Force officer in Himachal Pradesh, Prem Prakash Malhotra, has lodged a complaint with the police in Solan alleging financial fraud amounting to Rs 8 crore.
In his detailed 12-page FIR detailing a complex web of “financial frauds, illegal property transfers and mental harassment”, Prem Prakash Malhotra has accused Kuldeep Kumar and his family of defrauding him of over Rs 8 crore.
Prem Prakash Malhotra alleged that Kuldeep Kumar, a resident of Bamta village in Chopal subdivision of Shimla district in Himachal Pradesh, allegedly kept him and his wife under house arrest. He even accused Kuldeep Kumar and his family of playing a role in his wife’s suspicious death.
The retired Air Force officer has explained every aspect of the case in the FIR, providing a detailed account of the alleged fraud, the manipulation he endured and the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death.
Allegations of financial fraud, property misuse
In the FIR, Prem Prakash Malhotra alleged that Kuldeep Kumar and his family orchestrated an elaborate conspiracy to exploit him financially and seize control of his assets.
The key allegations include:
• Manipulating financial records to facilitate unauthorised transactions.
• Illegally withdrawing over ₹8 crore from his bank accounts.
• Opening multiple bank accounts and fraudulently operating accounts in his and his wife’s names without their knowledge.
• Fraudulently registering flats in Zirakpur in the accused’s name while using the officer’s money and informing him that the property was in his name.
• Wrongfully taking away a Hyundai i20 car and misappropriating gold and diamond jewellery worth Rs 35 lakh.
Manipulation and house arrest
The officer alleged that his ordeal began in 2022 after the sudden death of his younger son. Kuldeep Kumar, an employee in his late son’s company, gained his trust by claiming that his son had entrusted him with the elderly couple’s care.
Over time, Kuldeep Kumar isolated the officer and his wife, confiscated his mobile phone and replaced it with another device to prevent communication with family members.
The couple was allegedly kept under house arrest with their movements and interactions controlled by the accused.
Suspicious death of wife raises serious questions
One of the most disturbing allegations in the FIR is the suspicious death of the officer’s wife. He alleged that when his wife was taken to hospital, the doctor on duty pointed out that she had died five hours earlier.
The retired Air Force officer raised serious doubts about this time gap, calling it a “clear sign of foul play” and demanding a detailed investigation.
Appeal for justice to PM, President, SC, HC
The case underscores the vulnerability of elderly citizens, even those with distinguished service backgrounds.
Unable to get justice through local means, Prem Prakash Malhotra has appealed to President Droupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, Supreme Court judges, Himachal Pradesh High Court and the Human Rights Commission, demanding urgent action.
“If a retired Air Force officer can be exploited, isolated and defrauded of crores, what does this say about the security of ordinary senior citizens?” the officer questioned in his plea for justice.
Solan police say investigation underway
When contacted, Solan Additional Superintendent of Police Raj Kumar said the FIR had been recently registered and the case was still in its early stages of investigation. He said the police were taking the matter seriously and would conduct a thorough probe to uncover the facts.
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