A dispute over a dairy unit in rural Rajkot has escalated into serious allegations of harassment, fraud, and missing machinery. Kajal Hindocha, a 45-year-old widow from Railnagar, has accused her former landlords of driving her husband to suicide and later causing the disappearance of equipment valued at over Rs 61 lakh.
Complaint Filed at Paddhari Police Station
Hindocha filed a complaint at the Paddhari police station against former landlords Jaideep Panchani and Dharmishtha Panchani, alleging criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy. According to the complaint, her husband Nilesh and his partners set up a milk processing unit, We4U Dairy Products, in Khambhala village in 2024.
Rental Agreement and Machinery Purchase
The unit was located at Ganesh Das Plot and rented from Manjula Panchani and her son Jaideep Panchani for Rs 15,000 per month. After signing the lease, the partners purchased machinery worth over Rs 61 lakh through a loan from the State Bank of India (SBI).
Alleged Lockout and Harassment
Kajal alleged that in April 2025, about a year into operations, Dharmishtha Panchani visited the dairy and accused them of not paying rent. She reportedly ordered them to shut down, locked the premises, and kept the key. This lockout left Nilesh deeply distressed. On April 18, 2025, Nilesh Hindocha, aged 47, died by suicide after consuming poison at Satodar village in Jamkandorana taluka.
Promises and Settlement
After Nilesh's death, Kajal stated that Jaideep and Dharmishtha Panchani assured the family they would not demand rent and would release the machinery. A settlement agreement was signed in Rajkot on September 22, 2025, following which the dairy was unlocked. However, the machinery was not returned.
Separate Complaint and Missing Machinery
Hindocha had earlier lodged a separate complaint at Jamkandorana police station regarding her husband's suicide, naming Jaideep Panchani and his sister Dharmishtha Panchani. When Nilesh's partner, Bhargav, along with SBI officials, visited the dairy, they found the machinery missing. The bank officials reported the matter.
Kajal alleged that Jaideep and Dharmishtha Panchani, along with others who may be implicated during the investigation, committed fraud by removing the machinery as part of a pre-planned conspiracy. The police are currently investigating the case.
