PRAYAGRAJ, Aug. 23 -- A retired soldier was allegedly duped of Rs 7.71 lakh after he was promised a sub-inspector (SI) post in the Uttar Pradesh Police in exchange for money under the ex-serviceman quota, police said. Acting on the police commissioner's directions, Shivkuti police registered an FIR against the accused. According to the complaint filed by Vipin Kumar, a former serviceman from Chandpur in Prayagraj's Salori area, he came into contact with Suresh Chauhan, a Lance Naik posted in the Army and a native of Ghazipur, during military training. Chauhan allegedly claimed to have links with senior Secretariat officials and told Vipin that he could arrange an SI post for him in return for payment. Vipin alleged that Chauhan connected him on WhatsApp with another person and asked him to transfer money in instalments through QR codes issued in different names. Between December 2025 and June 2026, Vipin allegedly paid a total of Rs 7.71 lakh to accounts linked to Deepak Yadav, Abhay Kumar Shukla, Rajan Kumar Singh, Ankush Singh and Rahul Kumar. The complainant alleged that he was repeatedly asked for money on the pretext of completing the appointment process, holding discussions with DIG-level officers and Secretariat officials, and completing document verification formalities. He further alleged that he was called to Lucknow in June for document verification but was later sent back on various pretexts. After his name did not appear in the final selection list, he sought a refund. The accused allegedly delayed repayment and later switched off his mobile phone. Following a preliminary inquiry, Shivkuti police registered a case on the police commissioner's directions and launched an investigation into the alleged cheating....