Mumbai: The BKC police have registered an FIR against three persons for allegedly cheating two diamond merchants out of Rs1.45 crore. According to the FIR, Sandeep Bhadani, 37, a Mira Road resident engaged in diamond trading through his friend Nilesh Kalthhiya’s company, DJ Diamond, had been dealing with agent Rajesh Aviya for four years.
On May 1, 2024, at 11 am, Aviya introduced Bhadani to diamond trader Hardik Desani, who assured payment within 30 to 45 days if a deal was finalised. Bhadani agreed and handed over 142.43 carats of diamonds worth Rs37.86 lakh. Before the deadline, Desani requested more diamonds, and Bhadani, through Aviya, provided an additional 132.77 carats worth Rs46.46 lakh, with Aviya generating a receipt.
After 45 days, Desani repeatedly delayed payments and gave multiple excuses. He later asked for more diamonds, promising to settle all dues together but failed to pay or return the diamonds.
Bhadani later learned that Desani and his associate, Upendra Doshi, had similarly defrauded another diamond merchant of diamonds worth Rs60.75 lakh. He also alleged that another accused, Nikunj Sanghani, assisted Desani in committing the fraud. In total, Desani and his two associates, Upendra Doshi and Sanghani, cheated Bhadani and another diamond merchant a total of Rs1.45 crore.
The case was filed under sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4) (cheating and dishonesty), and 61 (criminal conspiracy) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
