The Economic Offences Wing of the Ahmedabad Police has opened an investigation into allegations of a multi-crore fraud involving a woman proprietor accused of defrauding a pharmaceutical trading firm. The case centers on claims that unpaid purchases of raw materials for medicines have left a significant financial trail, sparking concerns about the vulnerabilities in the pharmaceutical supply chain.
A Pattern of Trust and Default
According to the First Information Report filed by Bhaumikbhai Rameshbhai Patel, a partner in Macline Pharmaceuticals, the accused, identified as Shitalben Nao alias Shitalben Panchal, proprietor of D M Corporation, began trading with his firm in May 2022. Patel alleges that Shitalben first gained credibility by paying promptly for smaller consignments, gradually securing larger orders over the following months.
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The complaint details that between May 2022 and January 2023, Shitalben ordered pharmaceutical raw materials valued at approximately ₹13.7 crore, including widely used compounds such as azithromycin, paracetamol, and nimesulide. While payments totalling about ₹6.16 crore were reportedly made, outstanding dues of ₹6.5 crore remained unsettled.
Patel told investigators that Shitalben issued a series of post-dated cheques drawn from her Federal Bank account as a form of security. Several of these cheques are alleged to have bounced, while others were replaced with new instruments, creating a cycle of deferrals that prolonged the default.
Office Closed, Investigation Expands
The complaint further states that Shitalben has since closed her Dudheshwar-based office and cannot be located, raising suspicions of a premeditated scheme rather than a commercial dispute. Senior officers from the Detection of Crime Branch (DCB) confirmed that a case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, criminal breach of trust, and fraud.
The Economic Offences Prevention Branch has now taken over the inquiry. Officials said that statements are being recorded from Patel, other partners of Macline Pharmaceuticals, and financial intermediaries linked to the transactions. Investigators are also tracing bank records, cheque transactions, and communications exchanged during the disputed period.
Authorities believe that the case highlights recurring patterns in commercial fraud where trust-building strategies are used to escalate trade volumes before defaults occur. With the accused’s disappearance, police say the investigation will likely focus on locating her and recovering the unpaid amount, even as questions are raised over due diligence practices in high-value pharmaceutical trade.