PUNE: The office-bearers of Maharayat Agro India Private Limited company have been booked by the city police for allegedly cheating 67 people of Rs 1.73 crore by making them invest in 'Kadaknath Kombdi', a species of hen for poultry business under the pretext of good returns. 

Based on the complaint from a farmer who had invested Rs 2.5 lakh, an FIR was registered with the Dattawadi police station against the founder, director and accountant of the company, located near City Pride theatre on the Pune-Satara road. Many farmers have registered similar cases in Sangli, Kolhapur and Satara districts.

According to the police, the company had promised to supply fodder for rearing chickens but the farmers failed to get promised returns on their investment.

The police have arrested Pritam Mane (26), the accountant of the company. A judicial magistrate court has remanded him to police custody till September 6.