A major twist has emerged in a ₹6.28 crore financial fraud case in Surat after a couple, already facing cheating charges, was arrested for allegedly violating bail conditions and fleeing the country using reissued passports. The case has now widened into allegations of forged documentation, misuse of official processes, and international travel despite legal restrictions.
Investors Allegedly Duped by Finance Firm
The accused, Ghanshyam Pambhar and his wife Ashmita Pambhar, are residents of Lodhika in Gujarat’s Rajkot district. According to investigators, the couple launched a finance company named “Dhananjay Finance” in 2021 and allegedly lured investors by promising high returns in a short period. Over time, they are believed to have collected crores of rupees from multiple investors before abruptly shutting down operations and shifting their base to the Mota Varachha area of Surat.
The fraud came to light after several investors complained that neither their principal amounts nor the promised returns were being repaid. A cheating case was subsequently registered in Rajkot, following which the investigation intensified. During the probe, the couple approached the High Court and secured anticipatory bail, but with strict conditions, including surrender of passports and a complete restriction on leaving the country without permission.
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Fresh Documents Secured Through ‘Missing’ Claim
However, the investigation later revealed a serious breach of these conditions. Authorities found that despite the restrictions, the couple had traveled to Dubai and other countries. The violation surfaced after one of the victims informed officials that the accused had reportedly been seen abroad, prompting a verification of bail compliance.
During the investigation, it was discovered that while the original passports had been surrendered as required, the accused later filed a false complaint in Surat claiming their passports were “lost.” Based on this complaint, they allegedly applied for and obtained new passports using supporting documentation.
Further scrutiny revealed that these newly issued passports were used for international travel, even though the couple was legally barred from leaving India. Once the violation came to light, law enforcement agencies seized the reissued passports and launched a detailed probe into the entire process.
Fresh Case of Forgery, Cheating and Passport Act Violations
Following fresh evidence, a new case was registered against the couple. The charges include cheating, forgery, providing false information to public authorities, use of forged documents as genuine, and violations under the Passport Act along with immigration-related legal provisions.
Police teams later conducted a coordinated operation at their residence in Surat and arrested both individuals. They were produced before the court and subsequently taken into custody for further interrogation.
Police Probe Possible Agents
Investigators are now examining how the new passports were processed and whether any external agents or facilitators were involved. Authorities suspect the possibility of an organized network that assists individuals in obtaining fraudulent documents and bypassing legal restrictions on travel.
Officials are also reviewing records from passport offices and police databases to trace any irregularities. The possibility that the accused may have received help from intermediaries in manipulating the system is under active investigation.
Sources indicate that even after the initial fraud case was registered, the accused may have continued financial activities, raising concerns that funds could have been moved or concealed through multiple channels.
The accused remain in custody as the investigation continues, with authorities working to uncover the full extent of the fraud and identify all individuals involved in the wider network.
