A major fraud has emerged in Ballari district where 85 farmers allege that certain traders fled overnight after purchasing maize and paddy worth ₹1.87 crore without making any payments. Following complaints from the affected farmers, an FIR has been lodged at Sirigeri police station, and authorities are actively searching for the absconding traders.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to farmer T. Santosh from Bhairapura, four accused—Basavanagouda and Manjunathagouda (Bhairapura), Manjunathagouda (Sirigeri), and K. Manjunathagouda (Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh)—purchased maize and paddy from nearly 85 farmers but did not pay them.
Over the past two months, hundreds of cultivators from Siruguppa taluk sold thousands of bags of maize and paddy to these traders. Despite repeated assurances of “today” or “tomorrow” payments, the traders allegedly absconded overnight.
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Farmers’ Plight
Frustrated and anxious, farmers gathered in front of the accused’s houses, only to find them locked, confirming their fears that the traders had fled.
“We trusted them and sold our produce, but now we are left helpless,” one farmer said.
The total value of the crops is estimated at ₹1.87 crore, with maize priced at ₹1,980 per quintal and paddy at ₹2,400 per quintal. Many affected farmers had taken loans to cultivate their crops and are now struggling to repay them.
“We invested everything in farming, expecting returns after selling the produce. Now we are unable to repay loans or manage our families,” another farmer said, visibly distressed.
Police Action and Technical Investigation
An FIR has been registered at Sirigeri police station, and authorities are actively pursuing the four absconding traders. The investigation focuses on:
- Accurate identification of financial losses and unpaid amounts.
- Tracing bank transactions, online payments, and fund movements linked to the accused.
- Reviewing the traders’ digital footprint: mobile usage, WhatsApp messages, and online transactions.
- Examining the network and possible conspiracy between the accused and any accomplices.
- Ensuring protection and support for affected farmers, particularly those with outstanding loans.
The police are analyzing banking and digital data to trace where the money was transferred and identify the real beneficiaries.
Wider Implications
This fraud exposes vulnerabilities in crop procurement systems and highlights the financial risk faced by small-scale farmers. Experts note that such incidents can have severe consequences on rural livelihoods and undermine trust in local trading networks.
Authorities have emphasized the need for better monitoring and regulatory frameworks to prevent such frauds in the future. Farmers have urged the police and district administration to expedite the investigation, recover dues, and curb fraudulent practices to safeguard rural income.
Next Steps
Police are coordinating with other districts, including Kurnool, Andhra Pradesh, to track down the absconding traders.
Efforts are underway to freeze accounts or assets of the accused.
Bank and digital records continue to be examined to identify patterns that could prevent future frauds.
Farmers are continuing peaceful protests, demanding swift action and justice.
