Did CBI Uncover a Multi-Crore Rupee Fake Vehicle Accident Claim Scam in Odisha?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- CBI is investigating a major insurance fraud.
- Multiple fake accident claims are involved.
- High Court has mandated CBI involvement.
- Individual accused was previously charged with dangerous driving.
- Insurance company suspects widespread deceit.
Cuttack, Sep 16 (NationPress) In a significant escalation of the investigation into the multi-crore rupee fraudulent vehicle accident claim scam in Odisha, the CBI has filed a new FIR against a motorcyclist from Cuttack. This individual is accused of colliding with another biker, resulting in a fatality in 2021.
This investigation is part of 33 fraudulent Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) cases linked to accidents reported at 30 police stations since 2021. These cases are believed to have been initiated to exploit insurance claims and defraud a vehicle insurance company.
The FIR against Brajakishore Sahoo, a Cuttack resident, was sanctioned on Monday by Akhilesh Kumar Singh, the head of CBI, ACB, Bhubaneswar, following directives from the High Court of Orissa.
The High Court instructed the federal agency to delve into the case based on a petition submitted by ICICI Lombard General Insurance Company.
The FIR (RC0152025A0012) filed by the CBI on Monday referenced the court's directive, which stated, “Given the scale, magnitude, and intricacy of the crime, this Court believes that the State Police lacks the capacity to conduct a fair and truthful investigation. The CBI possesses the necessary expertise to uncover the conspiracy and financial trails of the crime.”
“Hence, this Court orders that the aforementioned cases be transferred to the CBI for investigation in the interest of justice, exercising its inherent powers in alignment with the apex court's judgment in Safiq Ahmed versus ICICI Lombard General Insurance,” the High Court commented.
Previously, in 2021, Sahoo was charged with dangerous driving and causing death by a rash and negligent act by the Mangalabad Police Station in Cuttack. The CBI has now taken over this investigation following the FIR.
The accident involving Sahoo reportedly led to the death of another motorcyclist, Gurucharan Prasad, who resided in Cuttack. A police report concerning Sahoo was filed by the victim's daughter, Suchismita Prasad.
Upon concluding its investigation, the local police submitted a chargesheet against Sahoo in a Cuttack court on February 1, 2022. Subsequently, an insurance claim was lodged regarding the accident.
This insurance scam purportedly consists of fabricated accident cases, with several cases featuring a driver sharing the same name. The insurance company informed the High Court that they suspected claimants were submitting false claims using the same driver’s name to illegally obtain crores of rupees.