Lucknow. An alleged financial irregularity involving the use of a fleet card by a private company has come to light in the state capital. An FIR has been registered against 10 people, including an employee of GS Express Private Limited, a field officer of Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL), and petrol pump employees, following a complaint by the company’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), D.S. Singh. The complaint alleges that around ₹1.05 crore was embezzled by manipulating the fleet card used to purchase diesel for the company’s vehicles. Instead of following the prescribed fuel purchase process, cash transactions were allegedly carried out and the money was subsequently diverted for personal use.
According to police, the FIR was registered at Gomti Nagar police station following an order from the DCP East. The complaint names company employee Farhan Ahmed Khan as the main accused. A case has also been registered against his wife, other named individuals and some unidentified persons. Police have started an investigation and sought documents related to the transactions, use of the fleet card and the company’s audit findings.
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According to the CFO, the company has been purchasing diesel for its vehicles through IOCL fleet cards since 2020. The responsibility for operating the fleet card and handling fuel-related transactions had been assigned to Farhan Ahmed Khan, a resident of Faizullaganj. During a recent audit, the company examined transactions carried out between January 2024 and October 2025 and allegedly detected financial irregularities.
The complaint claims that around ₹90 lakh was embezzled during this period. In addition, the associate company Ebco Infrastructure allegedly suffered a loss of approximately ₹15 lakh. Based on the allegations made by the company, the total financial loss is estimated at around ₹1.05 crore. However, these allegations will have to be established through the police investigation and supporting evidence.
The complaint alleges that Farhan acted in collusion with employees of Saraswati Filling Station, including Ankul Kaushal and Sunil Singh, four unidentified employees, petrol pump manager Harishankar Pandey and IOCL field officer Vipul Prasad. It is alleged that on several occasions, instead of purchasing diesel through the fleet card, cash was taken against the transactions. The complainant has alleged that the cash was subsequently handed over to Farhan’s wife.
Police have begun investigating the case under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. One of the key aspects of the investigation will be to determine how many transactions were conducted through the fleet card, which vehicles were shown as having purchased fuel, how much diesel was actually dispensed and how much cash was allegedly withdrawn or received in place of the fuel transactions.
Investigators are also expected to examine petrol pump records, digital transaction data linked to the fleet card, company vehicle logs and relevant bank account records. These documents could help establish whether there was a discrepancy between the company’s records, the fleet card transactions and the actual quantity of fuel supplied at the petrol pump.
Police said the complainant has been asked to provide the necessary documents related to the case. The records will be matched to determine whether the fuel purchases recorded in the company’s accounts corresponded with actual sales at the petrol pump. Investigators may also question the accused and obtain relevant records from the institutions and businesses connected with the transactions.
What Is a Fleet Card?
A fleet card is a specialised payment or credit card used by commercial and transport companies to manage fuel and vehicle-related expenses. It allows companies to purchase petrol or diesel for their vehicles while maintaining a digital record of fuel expenditure. Such systems can help companies monitor when, where and how much fuel was purchased for a particular vehicle. Depending on the system, details related to the vehicle, card, driver and individual transactions may also be recorded.
In the Lucknow case, police are now examining these digital and financial records to determine the exact amount allegedly embezzled and the role of each person named in the complaint. The allegations against the accused will be established on the basis of evidence collected during the investigation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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