The Ahmedabad Crime Branch apprehended seven individuals involved in an elaborate inter-state fraud scheme that manipulated electronic weighbridge systems to deceive companies during scrap transactions. The gang, operating across multiple states, tampered with weighbridge machines by installing specialized chips to manipulate weight displays and used remote-control devices to falsify weight slips, resulting in illicit gains during scrap purchases. Inspector Nikhil Brahmbhatt stated that the gang targeted scrap tenders in Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, leading to the arrest of seven members.
The accused participated in scrap tenders issued by companies, tampered with weighbridge systems to underreport scrap weight, and cheated scrapyard operators and site owners. Acting on specific information, the Crime Branch conducted a raid in the Vatva GIDC area, capturing all seven accused individuals. The fraud, estimated between Rs 50 crore and Rs 100 crore, affected companies like Adani Group, Reliance Industries, and Essar, with suspicions of involvement by employees such as security guards.
The alleged mastermind, Rajnish Kashyap from Madhya Pradesh, is currently on the run, with two individuals from Noida and New Delhi believed to be linked to the fraud. The arrested individuals, hailing from Ahmedabad and nearby districts, were identified as Hemantkumar Raval, Sanket Raval, Vijay Thakor, Manish Rabari, Vinod Patni, Mukesh Patni, and Sunil Patni. Six others, including Rajnish Kashyap, are wanted in the case. The police seized electronic chips, remote control devices, mobile phones, and a car during the operation, with a total estimated value of Rs 19.10 lakh.
