Major Financial Scam Uncovered in Junagadh Cooperative Society
A significant financial scandal has been exposed at the Juthal Seva Sahakari Mandali, located in the Maliya Hatina taluka of Junagadh district, Gujarat. The cooperative society is reeling from allegations of embezzlement amounting to a staggering Rs 2.09 crore, with a former secretary at the center of the controversy.
Details of the Alleged Embezzlement
The irregularities came to light following a detailed inspection ordered by the district registrar. Kanti Hingrajiya, who served as the secretary of the cooperative from May 2009 until April 2024, is accused of orchestrating a series of fraudulent activities over his tenure. According to the inspection report, Hingrajiya allegedly engaged in flagrant illegalities that severely impacted the society's finances.
The cooperative's president, Kanaiyalal Kaneria, has filed a formal police complaint outlining the embezzlement. Key findings from the investigation include:
- Loan repayments from farmer members were never deposited into the cooperative's official bank account.
- Unauthorized sales of the society's stock of fertilisers and agro-inputs were conducted without accounting for the proceeds.
- False deposit receipts were issued to farmers, misleading them about their financial transactions.
- Financial records were systematically manipulated to conceal the misappropriation of funds.
Investigation and Legal Actions
In response to the initial findings, authorities have initiated an inquiry under Section 93 of the Gujarat Cooperative Societies Act. R B Jani has been appointed as the inquiry officer to delve deeper into the matter. It is believed that Hingrajiya began his embezzlement activities shortly after joining the society in 2009, exploiting his position for personal gain over the years.
Hingrajiya has been formally booked under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 406 for criminal breach of trust.
- Section 409 for criminal breach of trust by a public servant.
- Section 420 for cheating.
Additionally, charges related to forgery and falsification of accounts, along with relevant sections of the Cooperative Societies Act, have been levied against him. The total estimated loss from this scam stands at Rs 2.09 crore, highlighting the severe financial impact on the cooperative and its members.
This case underscores the vulnerabilities in financial oversight within cooperative societies and raises concerns about governance and accountability in such institutions. The ongoing investigation aims to bring justice and recover the misappropriated funds to safeguard the interests of the affected farmers and members.
