Pipeline contractor cheated of Rs 69L by Mumbai company

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar:

The Company GNI Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd., which had undertaken the entire work of the Beed Bypass, was defrauded of Rs 69.72 lakh. In this case, a complaint has been filed at the Satara police station against the directors of Krupay Industries (Mumbai) —Payal Darshan Shah, Pradeep Rajnikant Shah, Ramila Pradeep Shah, and Darshan Shah (residents of Mumbai).

Ravinder Singh Bindra (46, Jyotinagar) along with his father and uncle are directors of GNI Infrastructure Company. They, along with their relatives and Rajendra Singh, a director of Manjit Cotton, established a partnership firm called MCGN Roadways LLP. A few years ago, through this firm, they were awarded the contract for constructing the road from Jhalta Phata to Mahanubhav Ashram, along with building a bridge and laying a water pipeline. For this project, they outsourced the supply of 2200 meters of MS welded pipes to Krupay Industries at Rs 17,100 per metre.

After sending an advance payment of Rs 32.28 lakh (20% of the total), Bindra received the initial supply. Trusting the company, they paid an additional Rs 11.80 lakh. Subsequently, they requested an additional 1600 meters of pipes. By February 9, 2023, Bindra had transferred a total of Rs 3.59 crore to the accused. Out of this, the accused company had supplied 1308 pipes worth Rs 2.64 crore.

Evasive replies

Shah stopped the supply after February 2023 and demanded 75% of the advance amount. Bindra informed him about the amount already deposited. However, Darshan claimed his father was ill as a reason for the delay. Between May 15 and August 9, 2023, he did provide some raw materials, but at double the price, amounting to Rs 24.68 lakh in expenses. Despite repeated demands, he sent Rs 2 lakh in March 2024. However, he refused to supply the water pipes, defrauding Rs 69,72,000. He even threatened not to make calls. The police inspector Sangram Tathe registered the case and forwarded the investigation to the Economic Offence Wing (EoW).