Rajkot MACT Case: FIR Filed for Forged Receipts in Motor Accident Claim
In a significant crackdown on document forgery within judicial proceedings, authorities in Rajkot have taken decisive action. An FIR was officially registered at the Gandhigram-2 (University) police station targeting a motor accident claim applicant accused of submitting manipulated receipts to the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT).
Details of the Alleged Fraud
The accused, identified as Jitendra Markana, had previously filed a motor accident claim petition with the tribunal. To substantiate his request for compensation, Markana presented payment receipts that appeared to be issued by the Bidada Sarvodaya Trust. These documents indicated payments of Rs 1,000 each for services rendered.
The forgery was uncovered during the tribunal's proceedings when the involved insurance company called upon Rajubhai, a trustee of the Bidada Sarvodaya Trust, to testify. Upon cross-referencing the receipts submitted by the claimant with the trust's official records, glaring inconsistencies emerged.
Discrepancies and Tribunal's Findings
According to the tribunal's detailed observations, the original receipts issued by the trust were for a mere Rs 100. It was discovered that an extra zero had been illicitly added to the amount on the receipts presented in court, artificially inflating the figure tenfold to Rs 1,000. This manipulation was aimed at securing a higher compensation payout.
The tribunal took serious note of this tampering and documented comprehensive findings in its final order. Following the directives of an additional district judge, deputy registrar Siddhrajsinh Jadeja formally lodged a police complaint. The complaint explicitly stated that the documents were forged with the clear intent of obtaining undue financial gain through fraudulent means.
Background of the Case
Advocates involved in the case provided context, revealing that Markana was involved in a road accident in 2016. The incident occurred when the motorcycle he was riding collided with a car on the Atkot–Gondal road. Subsequently, Markana received physiotherapy services at the Bidada Sarvodaya Trust facility, which led to the issuance of the disputed receipts.
Ongoing Investigation
Police officials have confirmed that an investigation is currently underway to determine the full extent of the forgery. Key questions being explored include whether the applicant personally altered the receipts or if the act was carried out with the assistance of others. This probe aims to uncover all parties involved in the fraudulent scheme.
This case underscores the judiciary's vigilance against document manipulation in legal claims, emphasizing the consequences of attempting to deceive the court for monetary benefit.
