Two Ahmedabad firms duped of Rs 3cr in trade deal fraud

Ahmedabad: The Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) has registered a case of cheating and criminal breach of trust against four individuals after two Ahmedabad-based firms alleged they were duped of more than Rs 3.09 crore in fraudulent business transactions involving pharmaceutical products and packaging material.The complaint was lodged by Manthan Patel, 32, a partner at Naranpura-based Lozenge Pharma Industries, a company engaged in manufacturing and supplying pharmaceutical capsules.According to the FIR, Patel and his business partner came into contact with accused Manish D Verma in Feb 2024 through officials of Pirana-based Styrun Health Care. Verma allegedly introduced himself as the owner of Mumbai-based Swadh’s Import and Export Pvt Ltd and assured the complainant that payments for supplied goods would be made within 90 days of delivery.Trusting the assurances, Lozenge Pharma supplied capsule consignments worth Rs 1.18 crore between July and Oct 2024. Although the company received Rs 35 lakh, dues amounting to Rs 83.77 lakh allegedly remained unpaid. With delayed payment charges added, the outstanding amount reportedly crossed Rs 1.03 crore.The FIR further states that Verma later requested that future billing be routed through Styrun Health Care, citing operational difficulties in his company. Based on orders placed by Styrun Health Care directors Manjurali Mohammedbhai Chudiya and Abidali Chudiya, Lozenge Pharma supplied goods worth Rs 48.83 lakh. After adjusting payments and returned stock, the company claimed an additional Rs 38.68 lakh remained unpaid.In a similar complaint, Girish S Shah, proprietor of Vatva GIDC-based Shah Paper Pack, alleged that Verma and Sandeepsinhg Vijay Bahadur procured corrugated boxes and mono cartons worth Rs 1.51 crore on credit but paid only Rs 13 lakh. Including delayed payment charges, Shah’s outstanding claim stood at Rs 1.66 crore.The DCB has booked Verma, Bahadur, Manjurali Chudiya and Abidali Chudiya for allegedly conspiring to cheat the complainants and cause wrongful financial losses.