Face2News/Ahmedabad 

The Special Judge for CBI cases, Ahmedabad passed judgment on Tuesday and convicted two accused persons namely, Rashik J. Patel Dalsaniya, Partner of M/s. Mira Chemicals, GIDC, Panoli, Distt. Bharuch (Pvt. Person) and sentenced to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 5 years and fine of Rs. 45 lakhs and Sanjay Ramesh Chitre, Prop. of M/s. S.R.Chitre & Co., Surveyor (Pvt. Person) and sentenced him to undergo rigorous imprisonment for 5 years and fine of Rs 15 lakhs in a case of Criminal conspiracy, Cheating, forgery for the purpose of cheating, using forged documents as genuine.

This case was registered by CBI, ACB, Gandhinagar on 29.06.2006 on the basis of source information on the allegation that the UIICL public servants and others entered into criminal conspiracy with each other and by abusing their official position extended pecuniary advantage of Rs.36,86,451 in the settlement of Fire Insurance Claim.

Investigation revealed that M/s. Mira Chemical, a partnership firm led by Rashik J. Patel, suffered a fire at their factory in GIDC Panoli on January 20, 2002, resulting in significant damage to the building, equipment, stocks, and chemicals. The firm reported the incident to the United India Insurance Company (UIICL) and M/s. S.R. Chitre & Co. was appointed as the surveyor, who assessed the damage at Rs. 36,92,137/-. After scrutiny and recommendations from UIICL officials, including the Branch and Divisional Offices, the claim was approved, and payment was made. However, it was revealed in the investigation that forged documents, including fake bills and vouchers, were submitted to exaggerate the damage and reinstallations, leading to fraudulent claims.

After investigation, charge-sheet were filed on 31.12.2008 and 28.10.2010 against Shri Rashik Jasmatbhai Patel (Dalsaniya) Partner of M/s. Mira Chemicals, GIDC, Panoli, Distt.:- Bharuch (Pvt. Person) (A1), Sanjay Ramesh Chitre, Prop. of M/s. S.R.Chitre & Co., Surveyor (Pvt. Person) (A-2) in Spl. Case No.24/09 and Cherukatkochu Gopalan Retired Manager, Regional, UIICL, Vadodara (A-1), Kumar Radhakrishnan, the then Sr. Divisional Manager of UIICL (A-2), Sunil Kulshrestha, ADM, UIICL (A-3), T.A.Balaji, the then Sr. Manager, UIICL (A-4) and Ghanshyam Bhatt, Development Officer, UIICL (A-5) in Spl. Case No.49/10 for the offence of Criminal conspiracy, Cheating, forgery for valuable security, forgery for the purpose of cheating, using forged documents as genuine and making or possessing counterfeit seal etc. with intent to commit forgery and criminal misconduct.

During trial, 34 prosecution witnesses were examined and relied on 234 documents/ exhibits in support of the charges against the accused persons. The Learned court found merit in the charges against the Accused Rashik J. Patel Dalsaniya and Sanjay R. Chitre and convicted and sentenced them accordingly.

All the public servants of UIICL have been acquitted from the charges levelled against them and one accused Cherukatkochu Gopalan, has expired during trial and the charge against him stands abated.