Gandhinagar Police Uncover Major Bank Challan Fraud in Illegal Mining Case
A significant fraud case involving forged bank challans in illegal mining operations has been brought to light in Gandhinagar. On Tuesday, the Sector 7 police registered an offence against three individuals accused of cheating the Gujarat government out of more than Rs 23.5 lakh.
Complaint Filed by Royalty Inspector
The complaint was lodged by Nisarg Bhatt, a 32-year-old resident of Kudasan in Gandhinagar. Bhatt serves as a royalty inspector with the office of the additional director (appeals and flying squad) at the commissioner of geology and mining in Gujarat.
Origins of the Case
According to the First Information Report (FIR), the case traces back to May 13, 2025. On that date, officials conducted inspections targeting illegal mining, transportation, and storage of sand in the Orsang river belt near Chanvada village in Dabhoi, Vadodara. Notices were subsequently issued on June 9, 2025, to three persons for violations under the Gujarat Mineral (Prevention of Illegal Mining, Transportation and Storage) Rules, 2017.
Fraudulent Payment Submissions
The accused were instructed to pay penalties for their violations. They later submitted bank challans, claiming to have deposited the required amounts. Based on these submissions, the department released seized machinery, vehicles, and stock in June and July of last year.
Discovery of Discrepancies
During routine verification, authorities sent a letter to the State Bank of India (SBI) in Gandhinagar, which revealed major discrepancies. It was found that against the claimed payments of Rs 4.7 lakh, Rs 2 lakh, and Rs 11.8 lakh, only negligible amounts or no deposits were actually made. In some instances, environmental compensation amounts were also either unpaid or could not be verified.
Forgery and Misuse of Documents
Investigators uncovered that the accused had allegedly created fake challans and forged bank receipts. They misused SBI seals and even forged the signature of a government official to make the documents appear authentic.
Collusion and Financial Loss
Police stated that the accused acted in collusion between May 13 and September 1, 2025. Their actions fraudulently showed payment of penalties, leading to the release of seized assets and causing a significant financial loss to the government.
Legal Action and Investigation
The Sector 7 police of Gandhinagar have registered an FIR for cheating and forgery, along with other charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. An investigation into the matter has been initiated to uncover further details and bring the perpetrators to justice.
