Surat: The Khatodara police have registered a cheating case against an individual accused of defrauding a fabrication businessman of Rs 1.84 crore by luring him with a counterfeit Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) tender.
Details of the Fraud
The accused, identified as Rajendra Chaudhary, allegedly promised Chandrakant Nikumbh a contract worth Rs 19 crore for installing grills along the BRTS corridor from Madhuram Circle to Chalthan Highway. According to the complaint, Chaudhary gained Nikumbh's trust by producing forged tender documents and a fake bank draft, claiming he was associated with several SMC projects.
Modus Operandi
Chaudhary allegedly informed the businessman that large sums of money would be required to bribe municipal officials and secure the contract. Believing these claims, Nikumbh paid Chaudhary a total of Rs 1.84 crore over a period of time.
Discovery of Fraud
However, the businessman later grew suspicious and verified the tender details with the SMC, only to discover that the tender documents were fake. He subsequently approached the police and lodged a complaint.
The police have registered a case under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and are investigating the matter. Further details are awaited.
