Insurance Company Uncovers Forgery in Junagadh Motor Accident Claim
A significant case of insurance fraud has come to light in Gujarat, with a private insurance company filing a formal police complaint in Junagadh. The complaint alleges that a forged insurance policy was deliberately used in a motor accident case to wrongfully claim compensation from the company.
Details of the 2023 Accident and Initial Investigation
The incident traces back to February 2023, when a woman identified as Hiri Vaghra was seriously injured near Choki village on the Junagadh–Jetpur Highway. According to reports, she was standing by the roadside when she was struck by a harvester. The following day, Junagadh Taluka police registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the harvester driver for rash and negligent driving.
During the subsequent investigation, the harvester owner, Virendrasinh Kamboj, a resident of Haryana, submitted vehicle documents to authorities. Among these documents was an insurance policy that he claimed had been issued by the private insurance company. This same policy was later presented before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) in Junagadh as part of an application seeking Rs 1 lakh in compensation for the injured woman.
Discovery of the Forged Insurance Policy
When the insurance company conducted its own verification of the submitted policy, it discovered alarming discrepancies. The company's investigation revealed that the policy was completely fake. Officials noted that the policy number did not match the official numbering pattern used by the insurer. Furthermore, the company clarified that, under its guidelines, such a policy could not have been legally issued for a harvester in the first place.
Following this discovery, the insurance company escalated the matter by approaching the CID Crime Special Investigation Team (SIT) in Gandhinagar. After a preliminary probe, the SIT directed the insurer to file a formal complaint at the concerned police station in Junagadh to initiate a full investigation.
Formal Complaint and Legal Action Initiated
In the detailed complaint lodged by the company's senior executive, it was alleged that the accused knowingly prepared and used a forged insurance policy. The document was submitted before both the police and the court with the intent to mislead authorities and commit fraud. The insurance firm emphasized that this act was a deliberate attempt to secure compensation through deceptive means.
As a result of the complaint, a case has been officially registered under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including charges for cheating and forgery. This legal action underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating the alleged fraud, highlighting the broader issue of insurance-related scams in motor accident cases.
Key Points of the Case:
- The accident occurred in February 2023 on the Junagadh–Jetpur Highway.
- A fake insurance policy was submitted by the harvester owner during the investigation.
- The policy was also presented in court to claim Rs 1 lakh in compensation.
- The insurance company's verification confirmed the policy as forged.
- A formal complaint has led to a case under IPC sections for cheating and forgery.
This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of thorough verification in insurance claims and the legal repercussions for those attempting to exploit the system through fraudulent documents.
