Surat School Principal Faces Cheating Charges in ₹1.70 Crore Tender Scam
In a significant development in Surat, Gujarat, the Sarthana police have formally registered a case against the principal of a municipal corporation-run school. The principal stands accused of orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme, allegedly cheating a local construction contractor out of a staggering sum of ₹1.70 crore. The fraudulent activity centered on promises of high returns through government supply tenders, which police investigations have revealed to be entirely fabricated.
How the Alleged Fraud Unfolded
The complaint details a complex chain of events beginning in early 2024. Ravji Kabaria, a 60-year-old construction contractor based in Surat, was approached by his friend, Ajit Patel. Ajit Patel introduced Kabaria to another acquaintance, Sanjay Patel, who was presented as having earned substantial profits by supplying stationery and sports kits through various Gujarat government tenders. Critically, Ajit Patel informed Kabaria that Sanjay Patel held the position of principal at the Surat Municipal Corporation's Suman School located in the Kosad area.
A meeting was subsequently arranged between Kabaria and Sanjay Patel on February 3, 2024. During this meeting, Sanjay Patel allegedly offered Kabaria the opportunity for lucrative returns on investments in government tender projects. To build credibility and gain Kabaria's trust, Sanjay Patel is accused of creating and presenting counterfeit tender documents. These documents were purportedly issued by legitimate government education bodies.
The Mechanics of the Alleged Scam
Sanjay Patel reportedly claimed ownership of a firm named Jogmaya Stationery, operating from the Mota Varachha area of Surat. He presented Kabaria with a letter, allegedly dated January 20, 2024, and issued by the Gujarat Council of School Education. Based on this and other assurances, Patel promised Kabaria a guaranteed 25% profit on his investments. He further assured the contractor that the entire invested capital would be safely returned once the corresponding government bills were processed and cleared.
Acting on these written assurances and promises, Ravji Kabaria proceeded to invest multiple amounts between February and April 2024. The total sum of these investments accumulated to ₹1.70 crore, allocated across what were presented as different government tender opportunities. Sanjay Patel later made a partial payment of ₹23 lakh, characterizing it as an initial profit. However, he subsequently failed to return the remaining principal amount and ceased all communication, ignoring Kabaria's calls and inquiries.
Investigation Reveals Forgery
Growing suspicious after the payments stopped, Ravji Kabaria initiated his own verification of the provided documents. His investigation revealed a shocking truth: the tender letter was completely forged. It had been falsely issued in the name of the Gujarat State School Textbook Board, a legitimate government entity that had no connection to the purported tender. This discovery prompted Kabaria to lodge a formal complaint with the Sarthana police.
Following the complaint, the case was transferred to the specialized Economic Offences Cell (EOC) for a thorough and detailed investigation due to the large sum of money involved and the complexity of the alleged financial fraud.
Arrests and Legal Action
In connection with the case, police have arrested two individuals as co-accused. Ajit Patel, the friend who initially introduced Kabaria to the scheme, has been taken into custody. Additionally, Babu Patel, the father of the main accused Sanjay Patel, has also been arrested. A formal case has been registered against Sanjay Patel, the school principal, under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code for the serious charges of cheating and forgery. The investigation by the Economic Offences Cell is currently ongoing to uncover the full extent of the fraud and recover the cheated funds.
