Osia Mall Director Dhirendra Chopra Denied Anticipatory Bail In Alleged ₹250 Crore Trader Fraud

An Ahmedabad Sessions Court has rejected the anticipatory bail application of Dhirendra Gautam Chopra, a director of Osia Hyper Retail Ltd, in a multi-crore fraud case involving allegations that goods worth approximately ₹250 crore were procured from 267 traders without payment. The prosecution told the court that claims totalling ₹634 crore had been filed against the accused before the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), while Chopra and his wife, Kavita Chopra, had allegedly left the country.

Additional Sessions Judge J. I. Patel rejected Chopra’s plea, taking into account the seriousness of the allegations and the prosecution’s contention that custodial interrogation was necessary for the investigation.

Investigation Expands From ₹4.43 Crore Complaint

The case was registered with the CID (Crime) in connection with alleged financial fraud involving Osia Hyper Retail Ltd. The original complaint reportedly alleged fraud of ₹4.43 crore, but the investigation subsequently uncovered allegations involving a much larger amount.

According to the prosecution, Chopra, his wife Kavita and another individual, Ruchi Rajkumar, allegedly used Osia Mall staff to procure goods from traders across different locations.

The prosecution alleged that the accused initially gained the traders’ confidence by making payments on time. They later allegedly issued cheques drawn on Punjab National Bank despite knowing that the account did not have sufficient funds.

Goods Worth ₹250 Crore Allegedly Procured From 267 Traders

The prosecution told the court that the accused allegedly procured goods worth around ₹250 crore from approximately 267 traders but failed to clear the payments.

It further alleged that after the cheques bounced, the goods were sold through the mall and the proceeds were used to acquire properties in the names of the accused and their family members.

Separately, claims amounting to ₹634 crore have reportedly been filed against the accused before the NCLT, according to the prosecution’s submissions.

Court Told Accused Couple Had Left India

Opposing the anticipatory bail application, the prosecution submitted that Chopra and his wife had allegedly fled abroad and had failed to appear before the NCLT in connection with the ongoing proceedings.

The prosecution also informed the court that fraud cases had been registered against the accused in Mumbai and other states. It argued that their alleged conduct indicated a risk of interference with witnesses and evidence if they were granted pre-arrest protection.

The prosecution maintained that custodial interrogation was essential to establish the full extent of the alleged fraud and trace the transactions involved.

Sessions Court Rejects Pre-Arrest Bail

Considering the prosecution’s submissions regarding the scale of the alleged fraud, the accused’s reported absence from India and the need for further investigation, Additional Sessions Judge J. I. Patel rejected Chopra’s anticipatory bail application.

The case remains under investigation, and the allegations against the accused are yet to be established through trial.