Navi Mumbai: APMC police have registered a case after uncovering a large-scale fraud involving rice consignments worth Rs 2.75 crore, with initial investigations pointing to links with illegal cricket betting networks.
The complaint, filed by Jeevan Bhayyaji Kotamwar (56), manager of Chandrapur-based Shri Venkateshwara Corporation, alleges that their appointed distributor at APMC Market—Dalal Nandu Traders, represented by Jignesh Ramesh Gajara—diverted rice shipments meant for market distribution.
Instead of delivering the stock to designated traders, the goods were allegedly rerouted and sold outside the market using forged GST details and fake invoices.
According to police, the fraud took place between June 2024 and July 2025. During this period, Gajara allegedly colluded with several individuals, including Vipul Dama, Deep Gori, Chetan Bhadra, Naresh, Mohit Bhadra, Harsh, and other unidentified persons. Investigators say bogus companies and forged documents were used to mask the transactions.
“The stock was sold at discounted rates, and the earnings—estimated at Rs 2.75 crore—were never reported to the supplier. The funds were allegedly used to place high-stakes bets on cricket matches,” said an officer from APMC police station.
The police have registered the case under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, for criminal breach of trust, cheating and forgery.
"We are currently analysing financial ledgers, GST trails, and mobile data records of all seven named suspects. No arrests have been made so far," the officer added.
