Surat Cricket Boss Nabbed in Multi-Crore Property Fraud
In a significant development that has shocked the cricketing community, Kanaiyalal Contractor, the 82-year-old president of Surat District Cricket Association, was arrested on Thursday by the Economic Offence Wing for his alleged involvement in a sophisticated cheating case involving property documents and substantial financial fraud.
The Elaborate Forgery Scheme
The case revolves around serious allegations that Contractor created a fake General Power of Attorney by forging signatures of his deceased brother Hemant Contractor, their mother Dayiben Contractor, and his sister-in-law Nayna Contractor. According to police officials, this elaborate scheme was executed between 2009 and 2021, during which the accused systematically prepared fraudulent documents.
Using these forged papers, Contractor allegedly mortgaged family property to a private finance company and secured a massive loan amounting to Rs 2.92 crore. Investigators revealed that the funds obtained through this illegal means were diverted for personal purposes without informing other partners in their joint construction business, Kanaiyalal Construction.
Legal Battle and Ultimate Arrest
The legal proceedings gained momentum when Nayna Contractor (64), the widow of Hemant Contractor, filed a formal complaint with Surat Crime Branch on October 24, 2024. The complaint detailed how the finance company began sending notices for pending dues to all partners after Contractor failed to repay loan installments totaling approximately Rs 65 lakh.
Following the registration of the case, Contractor embarked on a legal battle to secure anticipatory bail, but faced consecutive rejections at multiple judicial levels. His bail applications were first turned down by the Surat district court, then by the Gujarat High Court, and ultimately by the Supreme Court, paving the way for his arrest.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
Surat Deputy Commissioner of Police (Economic Offence Wing) Karanraj Vaghela confirmed the arrest and stated, "We have launched a comprehensive probe to identify other individuals involved in this scam and to trace the utilization of the loan amount." The investigation aims to uncover the complete network behind the forgery and determine the final destination of the misappropriated funds.
The case has been registered under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including:
- Section 420 (cheating)
- Section 465 (punishment for forgery)
- Section 467 (forgery of valuable security)
- Section 468 (forgery for cheating)
- Section 471 (using forged documents as genuine)
This development is particularly significant given that the family owns the prominent Lalbhai Contractor Cricket Stadium in Surat, which also serves as the office for the Surat District Cricket Association. The arrest of such a high-profile figure in local cricket administration has sent ripples through sports circles and raised questions about governance in sporting bodies.
