Archive · 19 Aug 2026
Pune Woman Arrested in Alleged ₹1.13 Crore MBBS Admission Fraud
Police in Mumbai arrested a woman accused of taking money for a medical college admission that did not happen.
The woman is Saumya Karan Bothara, who is 32 years old.
Police say she and her husband promised an MBBS seat for the daughter of a Dubai-based businesswoman.
The family allegedly paid ₹1.13 crore as an advance.
The admission was not secured, and cheques given for repayment allegedly bounced.
The woman was detained at Mumbai airport while reportedly trying to travel to Dubai.
A court first sent her to police custody and later to judicial custody.
Her husband, whom police call the main accused, is still being sought.
Police are investigating how the money was used and whether other people were affected.
Powai police arrested 32-year-old Saumya Karan Bothara at Mumbai airport on August 13.
She allegedly accepted ₹1.13 crore to secure an MBBS seat for a Dubai-based woman’s daughter.
Police allege the promised admission never occurred and repayment cheques were dishonoured.
The case was registered under IPC Sections 406, 420, 506 and 34.
Saumya’s husband, Karan Dilip Bothara, described as the alleged main accused, remains wanted.
- Who
- Powai police arrested Saumya Karan Bothara; her husband, Karan Dilip Bothara, is the alleged main accused and remains on the run. The complainant is Hemlata Jagdish Joshi, a Dubai-based Indian businesswoman.
- What
- An alleged ₹1.13 crore fraud involving a promise to secure an MBBS admission.
- When
- The alleged transaction dates to 2022; Saumya Bothara was detained and arrested on August 13, 2026, according to the article dated August 19, 2026.
- Where
- The arrest took place at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai; the alleged admission was to be arranged in Mumbai or Pune.
- Why
- Police allege the accused accepted an advance payment, failed to secure the admission or repay the money, and allegedly threatened the complainant.
- Amount allegedly paid
- ₹1.13 crore in cash
- Proposed admission
- MBBS course at a medical college in Mumbai or Pune
- Arrest date
- August 13, 2026
- Arrest location
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai
- Accused arrested
- Saumya Karan Bothara, 32
- Alleged main accused
- Karan Dilip Bothara, husband of Saumya Bothara
- Charges cited
- Indian Penal Code Sections 406, 420, 506 and 34