Man held for sheltering absconding accused in Rs 16 crore sugar factory scam

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

The economic offences wing arrested Ravindra Thote from Pawannagar in Cidco, Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar, for allegedly helping absconding accused in the Rs 16 crore fraud case linked to Shri Sant Eknath Cooperative Sugar Factory, Paithan. He was produced before the Paithan court and remanded to judicial custody till May 30.

A case was registered in February 2026 against main accused Sachin Ghayal and others for allegedly diverting Rs 16 crore from a Rs 30 crore loan obtained from Buldhana Urban for the factory’s expansion. Police said Thote provided shelter, vehicle, food, financial help, and eight SIM cards registered in relatives’ names to help the accused evade arrest. The operation was carried out by police sub-inspector Madhukar More and team under the guidance of SP Dr Vinay kumar Rathod and PI Shyamsunder Kavthale. Search for the absconding accused is underway.