In a significant crackdown on illicit finance, the cooperative department of Maharashtra conducted simultaneous raids at multiple locations linked to an alleged illegal moneylender in Amravati district. The operation, which unfolded on Friday, targeted the residence and agricultural land of Gopal Prabhakar Tekade in Savla village, Dhamangaon Railway tehsil.
Dual Teams Uncover Suspicious Haul
The raids were executed by two separate teams of officials working in coordination. The first team, led by Assistant Registrar Swati Gudadhe, descended upon Tekade's residence. She was accompanied by cooperation officers Yeshudas Khobragade, Sudhir Mankar, Kishor Bhuskade, Mayur Junghare, Pravin Dautpure, Dipak Pandhare, and Nilima Khadse.
Their search yielded a trove of suspicious material. The officials seized a total of 96 documents that raised red flags. The confiscated items included registration certificates for two vehicles, 22 blank cheques, 27 blank stamp papers, and 45 documents pertaining to immovable property.
Farmland Search Reveals High-Value Assets
Concurrently, a second team scoured the suspect's agricultural land. This group was headed by Assistant Registrar Sachin Patinge and included officers Avinash Mahalle, Sarita Gadbail, Rajesh Naik, Sunil Bhagat, Nikhil Manikpure, Navnath Khedekar, and Suvarna Niborkar.
Their inspection focused on assets suspected to have been purchased with proceeds from unlawful activities. From the farmland, the team confiscated 27 agricultural implements. The seized machinery included a tractor, a sowing machine, a rotavator, various types of ploughs, V-pass equipment, a tractor trolley, and a four-wheeler.
Legal Action and Ongoing Probe
The authorities strongly suspect that these uncovered assets were acquired through the proceeds of illegal moneylending activities. Based on the evidence gathered during the extensive five-hour operation—which ran from 10:35 am to 3:30 pm—formal action has been initiated.
Officials have moved against Tekade under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Moneylending (Regulation) Act, 2014, specifically Sections 16, Rule 17, and Section 18(1).
The investigation is now being carried forward by Assistant Registrar, Cooperative Societies, Dhamangaon Railway, Rajesh Bhuyar. The entire operation was conducted under the guidance of District Deputy Registrar Shankar Kumbhar, signaling a high-priority drive against unregulated lending in the region.
