Ahmedabad Police Bust Counterfeit Mobile Racket, Goods Worth ₹7.07 Lakh Seized
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
A racket involving the sale of counterfeit mobile phones bearing the Samsung brand logo has been busted at shops in the Geeta Mandir ST Bus Station market in Ahmedabad. The LCB Zone-6 team seized 1,034 suspicious mobile phones of Samsung, Nokia and Jio brands, along with a laptop and accessories, with a total value of ₹7,07,270. An examination by an authorised representative of Samsung confirmed that the Samsung phones were counterfeit. Kagadapith police have registered a case against 14 traders, including retailers operating in Geeta Mandir market and wholesale suppliers from Relief Road in Kalupur.
Samsung Representative Confirms Phones Were Counterfeit
Acting on information that duplicate mobile phones were allegedly being sold to customers as genuine products at shops in the Geeta Mandir ST Bus Station market, the LCB Zone-6 team initiated a preliminary inquiry.
During the investigation, police called Saurabhkumar Rajeshwari Pandey, a senior associate authorised to represent Samsung through React India Pvt. Ltd. of Gurugram and Aswath Legal of Delhi, to examine the seized phones.
The examination established that the Samsung phones were counterfeit. The company’s trademark and logo had allegedly been used without authorisation to sell the devices to customers as genuine Samsung products.
Mobile Phones and Accessories Worth ₹7.07 Lakh Seized
Police seized the following items from traders, their premises and warehouses, including Bholenath Mobile and Mahavir Mobile in Geeta Mandir market:
- 1,034 mobile phones: ₹6,61,870
- HP laptop: ₹12,000
- Chargers: ₹3,000
- Batteries: ₹28,850
- Mobile phone bodies: ₹1,100
The total value of the seized goods was ₹7,07,270.
The seized phones included devices bearing the Samsung, Nokia and Jio brand names.
Stock Allegedly Purchased Without Bills from Kalupur Dealers
During questioning, the accused allegedly told police that they had purchased the duplicate stock without bills from wholesale dealers operating at Raj Complex and Metro Plaza on Relief Road in Kalupur.
The investigation is focused on the alleged supply chain linking the wholesale dealers to retailers in Geeta Mandir market.
Kagadapith police have registered a case under the Trade Marks Act and relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, criminal conspiracy and other offences. Further investigation is under way.
Who Has Been Booked?
Police have booked 14 traders, including six traders operating in Geeta Mandir market and eight suppliers associated with Relief Road in Kalupur.
Traders in Geeta Mandir Market
- Jitendra alias Jitu Bhuraram Prajapati, a resident of Sarangpur
- Ravindrakumar alias Ravi Laxmanrao Chhipa, a resident of Khadia
- Rameshbhai Taraji Solanki, a resident of Kubernagar
- Ruparam Thanaji Chaudhary, a resident of Odhav
- Dineshkumar Magharam Ghanchi, a resident of Khadia
- Mahendrabhai Shankarbhai Modi, a resident of Khadia
Suppliers on Relief Road, Kalupur
- Ashokbhai
- Bhailubhai
- Vivekbhai of Kesharinandan
- Gopibhai
- Kuldeepbhai
- Rajubhai of R.S.B. Traders
- Pravinbhai
- Darshanbhai of Shivay Communication
The police are continuing their investigation to trace the supply chain of the counterfeit phones and establish the role of the traders involved in procuring and selling the stock.
