‘₹27 Lakh Jewellery Fraud’: Retired Rajasthan High Court Official Accuses Ahmedabad Jeweller Duo Of Cheating

A 71-year-old retired Rajasthan High Court chief accounts officer has accused an Ahmedabad jeweller and his father of cheating him and an acquaintance of gold, silver and cash worth around ₹27 lakh.

Silver Handed Over For Utensils

The complainant, Parshotam Tilumalji Pomal, a Hansol resident, lodged the complaint with the Ahmedabad Crime Branch on Wednesday against Umesh Narayandas Chelani, proprietor of Komal Jewellers near Sardarnagar Circle, and his father Narayandas Bhugdomal Chelani.

Pomal told police that he had been visiting the jewellery shop for some time and had previously purchased silver from the accused.

Around the end of August, Umesh allegedly told him to hand over silver for making utensils, claiming that rising silver prices would help him earn a good return.

Pomal subsequently gave the jeweller a 7.5-kg silver bar at the shop. The accused allegedly quoted ₹24,000 as labour charges and promised to deliver the utensils on September 5.

Later that day, Pomal allegedly paid another ₹5.62 lakh in cash for 2.5 kg of silver and received receipts stating that the silver would be delivered on September 5.

Shop Found Closed

When Pomal visited the shop on September 5, he allegedly found it closed. He and his son, Varun Vaibhav, then went to the accused's residence in Kubernagar.

According to the complaint, the father-son duo assured them that the shop would reopen and that the silver and money would be returned.

On September 7, Narayandas allegedly gave Pomal a Bank of India cheque for ₹6.50 lakh and promised to return the remaining money and silver utensils within a few days.

Pomal later allegedly found that the account did not have sufficient funds to honour the cheque.

Gold And Silver Transaction Also Under Scanner

The complaint also names Pomal's acquaintance, Jagdish Harikishanbhai Dholani, in a separate transaction.

Umesh allegedly told Dholani that he could deposit gold with the jeweller at the prevailing rate. If gold prices increased within a fortnight, the accused allegedly promised to make jewellery at the earlier rate, with labour charges added.

Dholani allegedly handed over two 10-gram gold biscuits worth around ₹3.20 lakh and paid another ₹2.36 lakh for silver.

The complaint alleges that neither the promised gold jewellery nor the deposited silver and money was returned.

Crime Branch Begins Probe

Pomal alleged that repeated attempts to contact the accused failed, with both their shop and residence found closed and their mobile phones switched off.

He subsequently learnt that the accused had allegedly collected money and bullion from several people by promising profits from gold and silver trading before disappearing.

The Detection of Ahmedabad Crime Branch has registered a case against the father-son duo and begun an investigation.

Police are examining bank accounts, financial transactions, receipts and bullion dealings to establish the exact amount allegedly taken from Pomal and other persons.

The allegations are contained in the complaint and have not yet been established through investigation or judicial proceedings.