Could Rs 94 Lakh Embezzlement at CNG Pump in Vadodara Involve 17 Employees?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- 17 employees implicated in embezzlement.
- Over Rs 94 lakh misappropriated.
- Fraudulent cash transactions recorded as UPI payments.
- Initial recovery of Rs 5.05 lakh.
- Ongoing police investigation into the matter.
Vadodara, June 20 (NationPress) A shocking financial scandal has emerged at a CNG pump located in the Karjan taluka of Vadodara district in Gujarat, with 17 employees facing accusations of embezzling over Rs 94 lakh by tampering with cash records and misrepresenting payments during their shifts.
The complaint, lodged at the Varanama police station, claims that the employees conspired to misappropriate Rs 94,33,086 by inaccurately recording cash transactions as UPI payments and submitting handwritten accounts that did not align with actual receipts.
The FIR was filed by Varun Navneet Patel (32), a resident of Takshaora Society in Ankhol village and an employee at the petrol pump. Patel identified the accused, which includes Bezuraj Vasava, Kanu Machhi, Khoda Vasava, Ganesh Pathade, Mehul Patanwadia, Raghuveer Singh Raj, Devendrasinh Dhariya, Natu Padhiyar, Gopalsinh Sindha, Dharik Parmar, Mehul Gohil, Vipul Vasava, Rakesh Vasava, Gopal Machhi, Suresh Vasava, and Praveen Gohil — all allegedly involved in this misappropriation scheme.
According to police sources, the employees deposited fraudulent accounts over multiple shifts, collectively misrepresenting transactions to illegally pocket the cash. Initial internal investigations revealed a recovery of Rs 5.05 lakh, but the remaining Rs 94.33 lakh is still unaccounted for. The situation has escalated to police involvement due to what the company describes as a serious breach of trust.
Authorities are conducting a thorough investigation, with further legal actions anticipated as they scrutinize financial records, CCTV footage, and individual statements.
In a related development, operators of approximately eight CNG/petrol pumps in Surat reported that their bank accounts were frozen due to suspected cyber fraud by customers, despite having no involvement in the crime.
They have reached out to the Southern Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SGCCI), requesting that the government limit account freezes to fraudulent amounts rather than entire bank accounts. They also called for a transparent protocol to protect innocent businesses from unwarranted penalties.