Ajmer: In a shocking case of identity theft and financial fraud, a humble farmer from Keriya Kala village in Sarwad tehsil has found himself at the center of a massive ₹143 crore tax controversy. The Income Tax Department recently served a notice to Ramraj Chaudhary, alleging his involvement in high-value transactions carried out under a fake firm registered in his name.
Ramraj, who leads a modest life and has no connection with any business entity, was stunned when he received the notice on April 3. According to the document, a firm named Nitya AG was fraudulently created using his PAN card, and a bank account was opened at Kotak Mahindra Bank in Mumbai four years ago. Transactions totaling ₹143 crore were conducted through this account during the financial year 2020–21—all without his knowledge. Speaking about his ordeal, Ramraj said, “I had no idea such a company existed in my name. I have never even been to Mumbai, let alone open a firm or a bank account there. I only learned about it after receiving the Income Tax notice.”
The distressed farmer approached the Ajmer Income Tax Department, where officials confirmed that a fake entity had indeed been created using his PAN credentials. He claims to have submitted a written complaint to the department, but alleges that his concerns were not taken seriously.
In a bid for justice, Ramraj also attempted to lodge a complaint at the Sarwad police station, but was redirected to the Cyber Police Station in Ajmer, given the nature and scale of the fraud. However, he claims there was no response at the cyber station either. Left with no options, the farmer approached Ajmer Superintendent of Police Vandita Rana, who has since directed CO Hanuman Singh of the Cyber Police Station to probe the matter. As of now, the cyber unit has not received a formal complaint, but officials have assured that a full investigation will be launched once they receive the details. “I am a small farmer. Where will I get ₹143 crore from? I want the police to trace those who misused my identity and hold them accountable,” Ramraj said, urging authorities to take swift action against the culprits who orchestrated this large-scale financial fraud.
The case has raised serious concerns about the misuse of personal identification data and the vulnerabilities in regulatory oversight, especially affecting individuals from rural and economically weaker backgrounds.