VADODARA — A significant breakthrough in a series of frauds targeting petrol pump managers has led to the arrest of Darshan Panchal and his brother-in-law, identified as key players in the scam that affected numerous fuel stations in Vadodara and neighboring cities.
These con artists devised a scheme where they would approach petrol pump managers across the region, including Nadiad and Bagodara, promising substantial work orders requiring five thousand liters of fuel daily. Gaining the trust of these managers, the fraudsters would obtain the petrol and diesel, only to sell it off cheaply elsewhere for quick cash. This operation severely impacted the financial stability of many petrol pump operators.
Fuel stations in areas like Jawahar Nagar, Warsia, Savli, Varnama, Padra, and others, filed complaints against the gang, detailing losses amounting to lakhs. A particularly notable case surfaced from the Shree Gayatri Petrol Pump in Jawahar Nagar, where the manager was defrauded of a staggering Rs 59 lakh.
Acting on this information, the Vadodara Crime Branch conducted a raid at a hotel in the Bopal area of Ahmedabad, leading to the arrest of Markar Darshan Prafullabhai Panchal from Panchal Falia, Ranoli, and Darshan Bhikhabhai Panchal from Triveni Vishwa Bakrol Anand Road. The ongoing investigation aims to bring all associated perpetrators to justice.
