A forgery and financial fraud case involving the Public Works Department (PWD) was earlier unearthed by the officials, a police official said on Thursday, adding that a probe was underway
Investigators stated that the cheque was never authorised or issued by the department. Representational Pic/File
Two individuals have been remanded to police custody until December 29 by a court in Jawhar area of Thane district in Maharashtra in connection with Rs 111 crore forged PWD cheque case, officials said on Thursday, reported the PTI.
A forgery and financial fraud case involving the Public Works Department (PWD) was earlier unearthed by the officials, a police official said on Thursday, adding that a probe was underway.
The case revolves around a forged cheque worth Rs 111.63 crore, allegedly issued in the name of the PWD, Jawhar.
Investigators stated that the cheque was never authorised or issued by the department.
Attempts to encash the cheque
Police said the cheque was first deposited on November 28 by Yajnesh Dinkar Ambhire for encashment. When the transaction failed, Nilesh Ramesh Padwale, a construction firm owner, allegedly made another attempt to encash the same cheque, according to the PTI.
The fraud was uncovered after verification revealed the cheque to be forged.
Complaint and legal action
Following the discovery, Executive Engineer Nitin Bhoye lodged a formal complaint at Jawhar Police station. Both accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Information Technology Act for offences including cheating and forgery.
Custody, bail and court proceedings
The accused were arrested on 29 November and initially placed in six days of police custody, after which they were sent to judicial custody and later released on bail.
As the investigation remained incomplete, the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Palghar police sought further custody by filing a revision application before the Bhiwandi Additional District and Sessions Court, as per the PTI.
High Court upholds custody order
Although the accused challenged the order in the Bombay High Court, the court upheld the Bhiwandi court’s decision on December 22. Subsequently, on December 24, the First Class Judicial Magistrate, Jawhar, remanded both accused to police custody until December 29, the news agency reported.
The ongoing investigation
An EOW team led by Inspector Shirish Pawar is continuing the investigation to uncover the full extent of the alleged financial fraud, police said, adding that the probe was ongoing.
(with PTI inputs)
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