The case dates back to 2003, when a complaint was filed against Sant Kakkar, his son Hari Krishan and their servants Jarnail Singh, Parkash Chand and Randhir Singh.

Officials said Kakkar apparently burnt all records soon after, which made it difficult to crack the case. All, except Sant, were arrested in December last year.

“The modus operandi was very simple. They made the borrowers sign post-dated cheques and blank stamp

papers before handing over the loan amount and misused the documents later,” said a police officer.

Sarwar Khan, a Class IV employee with Military Engineering Service, claimed he was conned of Rs 70,000.

“After returning the principal amount with interest to Sant, the lender demanded more money. When Sarwar refused, Sant deposited the blank cheques in the bank, which bounced due to non-availability of balance. Then, Sant registered a police complaint against Sarwar and started blackmailing him,” added the police officer.

In the five years that have passed after Sarwar approached the police, over 35 people have also come forward with their complaint against the money lenders.