Indore, Madhya Pradesh | August 7, 2025 —
What began as a seemingly isolated case of financial fraud has unraveled into a disturbing saga of extortion, organized threats, and suspected racket. At the center of the storm is Manisha Saket, also known as Divya Bharti, a receptionist employed at a private hospital in Indore, who now finds herself entangled in serious criminal allegations.
Local businessman Pankaj Hukamchand filed a police complaint in August 2025 under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code, alleging that Manisha borrowed ₹2,00,000 and refused to repay it. But the narrative took a dangerous twist when Pankaj became the target of a campaign of threats, allegedly orchestrated to pressure him into withdrawing the case.
This case, which has now entered the public spotlight, is being actively investigated by Aerodrome Police Station and may be just the tip of a much larger criminal network.
How It All Started: The ₹2 Lakh Loan That Unraveled a Web of Deceit
Pankaj Hukamchand, a resident of Indore, claimed that Manisha borrowed a substantial sum citing an emergency. Despite repeated appeals for repayment, he received nothing but silence. Trust eroded, he took legal steps, prompting an official complaint and police action.
But rather than accept legal consequences, Manisha allegedly mobilized a group of enablers who launched an aggressive intimidation campaign. The case that began with a financial grievance quickly snowballed into a case of organized harassment.
Threats, Coercion, and the Tower Square Meeting
According to the newly filed complaint, Manisha enlisted three individuals — Rahul Panjwani, Danish Khan, and Lokesh Kothre — in an attempt to coerce Pankaj into dropping charges.
The intimidation reportedly unfolded following a meeting at Bhatia Mobile Shop, a local outlet situated at Tower Square, Indore, where Rahul and Danish are often seen. Danish is employed as a mobile technician there, while the store is operated by Yash Bhatia, who has also come under scrutiny for allegedly facilitating bail for the accused.
Shortly after this meeting, Pankaj received a threatening phone call, which he later described to the police as “menacing and clearly meant to frighten me into silence.” This prompted a fresh FIR, bringing the total number of accused in the case to four.
A Pattern of Fraud: More Victims Come Forward
As the news spread, more disturbing revelations began to emerge. Several individuals, including hospital visitors and former patients, have stepped forward with similar stories. These victims claim they were manipulated emotionally or under distress to lend money to Manisha, only to face delays, denials, and intimidation when seeking repayment.
Sources suggest that this may not be a one-off incident but part of a repeated modus operandi — using her position as a hospital receptionist to gain trust, emotionally manipulate victims, and then engage in deceit and intimidation.
Police React Swiftly: FIR Registered, Surveillance Underway
With mounting pressure, the Aerodrome Police Station registered a comprehensive FIR against all four accused. Investigators are now analyzing phone records, bank transactions, and surveillance footage to trace the chain of events and identify possible collaborators or victims previously unheard.
A senior official with the investigation team stated:
“The case is being treated with high priority. If the accused are linked to additional incidents, we are looking at potential charges of criminal conspiracy, fraud, and even organized financial crime.”
All four accused are currently out on conditional bail, reportedly assisted by Yash Bhatia.
Implications for Private Healthcare Sector
This scandal has reignited the conversation around employee vetting in the healthcare industry. With hospital staff often in a position of implicit trust and direct contact with vulnerable people, the case underscores a serious gap in oversight and accountability.
Public safety advocates are now demanding a mandatory background verification protocol across private hospitals in Madhya Pradesh and beyond, to ensure similar cases don’t go undetected.
Justice on the Horizon?
If proven guilty, the accused may face charges under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
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Section 420 – Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property
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Section 506 – Criminal intimidation
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Section 120B – Criminal conspiracy
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Possibly IT Act provisions if digital threats or messages are verified
This may only be the beginning of a larger probe into coordinated fraud activities targeting financially or emotionally vulnerable individuals.
A Plea to the Public
Authorities are urging any individuals who may have interacted with Manisha or suffered similar fraud to come forward and file a complaint. A dedicated team has been assigned to handle potential new leads, witness testimonies, and additional complaints.
