Pune: Sixteen parents were duped to the tune of Rs 35.39 lakh by three persons, including two school bus drivers, under the pretext of helping them get admission for their wards in Hutchings School. Pune city police have nabbed the two drivers, who acted as agents, while the main accused is said to be on the run.

The arrested accused have been identified as Shripati Dhondiba Koditkar (49) of Ambegaon Pathar and Vishal Mohan Navale (35) of Vadgaon Dhayari. A holiday magistrate court, on Sunday, remanded them to police custody till August 1. The main accused, Anil Rajaram Shinde, a resident of Hadapsar, is absconding, police said.

Rakesh Ranjan Sharma (37) of Ghorpadi, one of the parents, has lodged a FIR against the accused persons with the Wanawadi police station. Later, 15 more parents approached the police. The incident took place between May 26 to June 14 this year at Hutchings school. The accused had given them admission fees challan and when the students reported to school, the authorities pointed out that the ‘admission forms’ were fake. Sharma had paid Rs 1.1 lakh. A total of 16 parents had paid Rs 35.39 lakh to Shinde through these two drivers. Shinde had told them that he has good relations with the managing committee of the school and would manage a seat for their ward in the school. Shinde had also impressed upon some parents that he himself is from the committee.

Assistant Police Inspector AE Shete, who is investigating the case, said, “The two arrested persons were getting Rs 20,000-30,000 per student while the parents were being charged donation up to Rs 5 lakh for the admission. Investigations are on to nab Shinde.”

Police have charged the accused persons for offences like cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust under the Indian Penal Code.