Nagpur: In a dramatic turn of events, Sadar Police unearthed a conspiracy in which two individuals attempted to frame a hotel owner using fake government stamps and stolen cheques. The accused were reportedly seeking revenge after a financial dispute over renovation work.
On April 4, acting on a tip-off, Sadar Police raided the kitchen and office of ‘Navratna Raghav’ hotel on Mount Road. During the search, they recovered 21 forged rubber stamps meant for use in government offices, an HP laptop, and various documents from the possession of Akshay Ashwin Limbna (39), the hotel owner. A case was immediately registered under BNS Sections 341(1) and 341(2), and Limbna was arrested.
While in custody, Limbna informed police that several cheques from his office had been stolen and someone had tried to cash them fraudulently. Investigations led to the identification and detention of Sattar Qutubuddin Ansari (42), a resident of Bhande Plot, Umred Road. CCTV footage helped track him down.
During questioning, Sattar admitted that he had done renovation work at the hotel but was not paid in full. In retaliation, he and his associate Pankaj Rahangdale (30), a resident of Jagdish Nagar, Katol Road, conspired to frame Limbna. They planted the fake stamps in the hotel kitchen and stole cheques from his office. Using forged signatures, they attempted to encash the cheques at various banks.
Following the revelations, police added further charges under BNS Sections 318(4), 61(2), 229(2), 336(3), 340(2), and 303(2). While Sattar has been taken into custody, a manhunt is underway to trace Rahangdale.
The investigation was carried out under the guidance of DCP Rahul Madane (Zone 2) and ACP Sunita Meshram (Sadar Division). The team included PI Manish Thakare, API Manisha Varsha, PSI Sandeep Jadhav, PSI Santosh Shirdole, and constables Sunil Raut and Pralesh Kapse.
Further probe is in progress.
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com