Indore, Madhya Pradesh | August 7, 2025
In a case that has stirred public outrage and ignited a flurry of police action, a hospital receptionist in Indore has been accused of orchestrating a fraud and intimidation racket that targeted multiple victims — including vulnerable patients.
Manisha Saket, also known by the alias Divya Bharti, has become the prime accused in a criminal case that has now expanded far beyond a simple money dispute. What began as a loan request turned into a terrifying sequence of manipulation, threats, and organized coercion, prompting a deeper look into her network and methods.
The Loan That Triggered a Legal Avalanche
According to an official police complaint filed by Pankaj Hukamchand, Manisha approached him in August 2025 requesting a loan of ₹2,00,000, citing a personal emergency. Believing her to be trustworthy — owing to her position at a reputable private hospital — Pankaj agreed to help.
But as weeks passed and repayment never came, repeated follow-ups were either dodged or ignored. When Pankaj finally filed a formal complaint under IPC Section 420 (cheating and fraud), he didn’t realize he was about to uncover something far more disturbing.
The Threatening Turn: From Silence to Intimidation
As the legal process began favoring Pankaj, he started receiving coercive calls pressuring him to drop the case. His instincts proved right when police discovered that Manisha had allegedly enlisted three men — Rahul Panjwani, Danish Khan, and Lokesh Kothre — to intervene on her behalf.
The alleged intimidation was traced back to a meeting held at Bhatia Mobile Shop, a known tech service point in Tower Square, Indore. This location has now emerged as a focal point in the investigation, with questions arising about its use as a covert coordination point for illegal activities.
The Bhatia Mobile Shop Link: Coincidence or Coordinated Base?
Investigators revealed that Danish Khan works as a mobile technician at the said shop, which is reportedly operated by Yash Bhatia — the same individual said to have played a role in securing bail for the accused. It is at this very shop that Rahul, Danish, and Lokesh allegedly plotted the phone threats sent to Pankaj.
Shortly after that meeting, Pankaj received a call that would change the course of the investigation — a direct threat meant to intimidate him into silence. Instead of backing down, he reported the call to police, expanding the case to include charges of criminal intimidation under IPC Section 506.
Digging Deeper: A Pattern of Predatory Lending and Threats
In the days following the report, more victims began speaking out, claiming they too were lured into giving Manisha money—many of them patients at the hospital where she worked. Allegedly, she used emotional appeals and fabricated emergencies to extract funds, later threatening or ignoring those who sought repayment.
These revelations suggest the possibility of a systematic and repeated abuse of trust, with patients and colleagues alike being targeted by a seemingly friendly but fraudulent individual.
Legal and Investigative Developments
The Aerodrome Police Station has confirmed the registration of an FIR against all four accused — Manisha Saket, Rahul Panjwani, Danish Khan, and Lokesh Kothre. Police teams are actively investigating:
-
Call detail records
-
Bank transactions
-
Digital communications
-
CCTV footage from Tower Square and hospital premises
All accused are currently out on conditional bail, though the police have not ruled out the invocation of more serious charges, including criminal conspiracy (IPC 120B) and possible violations of the Information Technology Act, if the digital evidence confirms malicious coordination.
Community Shock and Institutional Responsibility
The incident has cast a dark shadow over private healthcare institutions, which are now facing public scrutiny for failing to vet their employees more rigorously. Questions are being raised:
-
How did such behavior go unnoticed?
-
Were there internal complaints that were ignored?
-
Did hospital management turn a blind eye?
Social commentators are calling for mandatory background verification and psychological evaluation for staff in patient-facing roles.
Looking Forward: Justice or Cover-Up?
This ongoing case is not only a test of the legal system’s resolve but also a challenge to social accountability. The investigation must uncover the full extent of the damage, trace other victims, and ensure that the accused do not manipulate legal loopholes to evade justice.
“This is a clear case of organized fraud cloaked under professional identity,” said a source close to the investigation. “If this group operated as it appears, we may be looking at one of the most calculated cases of patient-related fraud in Indore’s recent history.”
Public Appeal and Reporting Information
Authorities urge any person who has loaned money to Manisha or has been pressured or threatened by her or her known associates to report immediately. All tips will be treated with confidentiality.
