200 ‘stolen’ cars found within a month

Surat: In first major economic offence investigation, Economic Offence Cell (EOC) of the city police recovered 200 cars worth Rs 4.5 crore that were sold by an accused after hiring these as taxis. Police said total 264 cars were stolen. Cops are now speeding the process to ensure that rightful owners get back their vehicles. The stolen cars were recovered in less than a month’s time.
Police arrested accused Ketul Parmar from Botad on June 7, two days after an offence was registered against him. During investigation, police identified people who purchased these stolen cars and recovered them. The vehicles were sold in different districts of Gujarat and Maharashtra in less than half the actual price of the vehicle.
So far 22 cars have been returned to their owners and 60 more applications are pending in the court to get cars back.
Amar Patel, a resident of Bhathena, had lodged a complaint in detection of crime branch (DCB) on June 5. The investigation was handed over to EOC.
In his complaint Patel alleged that the fraud continued since September 2020. The accused was booked under various sections of Indian Penal Code including breach of trust, cheating and forging documents.
Both Parmar and Patel were cab service providers and had met each other a few years ago. They were in regular touch since then and Parmar informed Patel that he got a contract to supply cars on rent to a solar company. Believing him, Patel provided a car for a 10 days trial.
After receiving payment of rent, Patel started providing Parmar more cars. Later his friends too started providing cars to Parmar. “The victims were paid as high as Rs 20,000 monthly rental for a car during the pandemic. Hence many known people of Patel got trapped. The rent was paid for initial few months and then the accused disappeared,” said police.
Police are yet to arrest other accused Gopal Jograna, Kalu Bhuva Bharwad, Viram Gagji Bhuva, Bhola Sindhav, Vijay Chosla, Amit Satiya, Firoz alias Hukam Shaikh, Ishwar Chosla Malakiya and Sanjay Bharvad. “The accused took the original RTO registration certificate and insurance papers from the owners. They then used them to sell the cars,” said V K Parmar, assistant commissioner of police, EOC.
“Recovering the cars was our priority since the victims are from poor financial background. If they don’t get the vehicles back they will be in bigger trouble. Hence, we recovered the cars on top priority,” said Ajay Tomar, city police commissioner.