Major Insurance Fraud Scheme Uncovered in Davanagere District
A sophisticated scam to create fraudulent documents and defraud Sriram General Insurance Company of crores of rupees has been exposed in connection with an accident case reported between Savalanga and Shikaripura in Nyamati taluk. This alarming development has prompted the insurance provider to formally request a comprehensive reinvestigation from the Davanagere Superintendent of Police.
Withdrawn Claims and Suspicious Patterns
Following the official complaint lodged by the insurance company, a significant development occurred in the Motor Accident Claim Tribunal at Ranebennur. Ten separate applications for insurance claims related to the accident case were abruptly withdrawn. All ten individuals, who had initially sought substantial compensation, retracted their cases merely one day after Sriram General Insurance Company submitted its petition to the SP seeking a fresh probe.
The original accident involved a collision between a tourist bus and a two-wheeler on the Savalanga-Shikaripura Road on May 10, 2025. The case was officially registered at the Nyamati police station. After conducting their initial investigation, police authorities submitted a chargesheet to the court. Subsequently, applications seeking compensation were filed, citing that ten people sustained injuries in the accident.
Geographical Discrepancies and Fabricated Medical Records
Investigations revealed that most applicants hailed from Mandya and Mysuru districts, which raised immediate red flags regarding their connection to the accident location. These individuals submitted treatment records purportedly from McGann Medical College Hospital in Shivamogga and a private hospital in Mangaluru as evidence of their injuries.
The cumulative value of all claims astonishingly exceeded Rs 1 crore, prompting Sriram General Insurance Company to treat the matter with utmost seriousness. Company officials conducted a meticulous review of the case details and supporting documentation.
Their thorough examination conclusively confirmed that the documents submitted alongside the compensation claims were entirely fabricated and false. Furthermore, it was established that the applicants seeking insurance payouts were not even traveling on the bus involved in the accident.
Systematic Fraud and Corporate Response
Suspecting an organized scam designed to illicitly obtain insurance benefits through falsified documentation, the company promptly filed an official complaint with police authorities, demanding a complete reinvestigation into the matter.
According to the detailed complaint filed by Radhe Gopal Sharma, legal adviser of Sriram General Insurance Company, all ten individuals who claimed insurance benefits listed their permanent residences as Kamadod and Magod villages in Ranebennur. However, the company's internal investigation team uncovered that these claimants were not actual residents of Kamadod and Magod villages, exposing another layer of deception.
Aswhini Dhanawat, Executive Director and Chief Insurance Officer of Sriram General Insurance Company, emphasized the company's dual commitment. "We are dedicated to providing prompt and fair compensation to genuine accident victims," she stated. "Simultaneously, we remain equally vigilant in preventing fraudsters from exploiting and misusing the insurance system. To maintain this crucial balance, we have significantly strengthened our specialized teams comprising legal officers and investigators. Where fraud is detected, we will pursue strict legal action without exception."
This case highlights growing concerns about insurance fraud schemes in the region and underscores the importance of robust verification mechanisms within the insurance claims process.
