A special CBI court in Ahmedabad has convicted and sentenced three private individuals to three years’ imprisonment for cheating Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGGC) of ₹67,58,938 by falsely claiming dispatch of goods that were never delivered. The verdict, delivered on 9 December 2025, also imposes a fine of ₹30,000 on each of the convicted persons.
Three Accused Found Guilty in 2011 Fraud Case
Those convicted include Atul Naranbhai Panchal, proprietor of M/s National Machine Tools, Ahmedabad; Mahendra Singh P. Vaghela, an employee of the same firm; and Ghanshyam Rambrich Pandey, proprietor of M/s Ahmedabad Road Carriers. The three were found guilty of criminal conspiracy and cheating in connection with payments fraudulently obtained from ONGC.
CBI Registered Case Over Fraudulent Payment Claim
The CBI had registered the case on 22 June 2011 against Atul Panchal, unknown ONGC officials and other unidentified persons. According to the agency, Panchal, in conspiracy with these officials, dishonestly secured payment from ONGC on 1 June 2011 by falsely showing that goods had been dispatched on 29 April 2011. Since the material had not been dispatched, the payment violated the terms of the purchase order and resulted in wrongful loss to ONGC.
Charge-Sheet Filed After Investigation
After completing its investigation, the CBI filed a chargesheet on 27 December 2011 against Panchal; Bhavin Patel, surveyor at M/s Det Norske Veritas, Ahmedabad; Vaghela; and Pandey. The agency detailed their roles in the creation of fraudulent dispatch documentation and the subsequent wrongful payment released by ONGC.
Court Separates Case Against Absconding Accused
During the trial, the court separated the case pertaining to accused Bhavin Patel after he was declared absconding. The proceedings continued against the remaining three accused, all of whom were convicted based on documentary evidence and witness testimonies presented by the prosecution.
Conviction Marks Closure of Long-Pending Case
With the sentencing of the three individuals, the CBI has closed a long-pending case involving procurement-related fraud and collusion affecting a major public sector undertaking. The agency stated that efforts to trace the absconding accused remain ongoing.
