Ropar police have achieved a significant breakthrough by cracking down on a sophisticated criminal network. Authorities arrested four individuals on Monday for their involvement in a large-scale fraud operation. The gang created and distributed fake Q Forms through a deceptive website, enabling illegal transportation of sand, gravel, and other construction materials across Punjab.
Key Arrests and Charges
Senior Superintendent of Police Maninder Singh identified the arrested accused as Arun Kumar alias Rana from Garhshankar, Harinderpal Bhalla alias Nonu Bhalla from Bharatgarh village in Ropar, Gurmeet Singh of Sarsa Nangal in Ropar, and Akhilesh Pratap Shahi from Uttar Pradesh. Police have registered a formal case at Nangal police station under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Information Technology Act, 2000.
Operation Details and Investigation
Special police teams worked under the leadership of DSP Jatinder Chauhan and DSP Harkirat Singh to execute this operation. They received crucial support from the special branch team led by Inspector Gurwinder Singh Dhillon, CIA staff in-charge Inspector Mandeep Singh, and a team from Nangal police station headed by Inspector Simranjit Singh along with Naya Nangal in-charge Sartaj Singh.
During their investigation, police discovered that the accused had established a well-organized gang. They designed a fraudulent website – https://minesandgeology.punjabgou.in – which closely mimicked the official Punjab government mines and geology portal. This fake site successfully misled both transporters and enforcement agencies for several months.
Modus Operandi and Financial Impact
SSP Maninder Singh revealed that Gurmeet Singh had maintained contact with Akhilesh Pratap Shahi for approximately two years. During this period, they developed and tested their bogus portal before launching it operationally. The illegal racket remained active for the last five to six months, generating substantial financial losses for the Punjab government.
Through their counterfeit website, the accused produced fake Q Forms for various truck numbers. They supplied these fabricated documents to truck drivers and transporters, allowing them to present illegal transportation activities as legitimate on paper. This scheme facilitated smooth vehicle movement while depriving the state of rightful revenue.
Investigators estimate that the gang prepared between 450 and 500 fake Q Forms during their operation. Police have seized nine mobile phones and two laptops from the arrested individuals as part of their evidence collection.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Actions
Authorities continue their investigation to identify additional beneficiaries and transporters who utilized these fake documents. Police are currently verifying the complete list and movement details of all trucks involved in this scam. They are also tracing all digital evidence related to the website trail, including hosting details, login records, and payment transactions.
The entire network and financial transactions associated with this racket are undergoing thorough examination. SSP Maninder Singh emphasized that Ropar police remain fully committed to taking strict legal action against anyone involved in preparing fake documents or engaging in illegal transportation activities. This crackdown sends a strong message against organized crime targeting government revenue systems.
