Complaint against former Junagadh minister in connection with embezzlement of crores of rupees: Embezzlement of more than Rs 2 crore by tampering with the records of the group society, Bhaskar submitted a report eight months ago

A complaint of financial irregularities and embezzlement of crores of rupees has been registered against Kantibhai Narshibhai Hingrajia, former minister of Seva Cooperative Society of Juthal village in Malia Hati taluka of Junagadh district. According to the details lodged with the police by the current president of the association, Kanhaiyalal alias Kanubhai Devshibhai Kaneria, the accused minister had betrayed the farmers and the society by misusing his position between 2009 and 2024. The records of the society were tampered with and false accounts were submitted. The legal action has been taken following the report of the investigating officer appointed by the district registrar. The accused minister has embezzled a total amount of Rs 2,09,49,609 by tampering with the records of the society and submitting false accounts. Instead of depositing the money in the bank, it was used for personal use Investigations have revealed that the embezzlement committed by the accused minister was spread at many levels and not in one way. Mainly, there is a shortfall of Rs 59.42 lakh in cash balance, which was used by the minister personally instead of depositing the money in the bank. Apart from this, as per the stock register of the society, fertilizer worth Rs 26.78 lakh was on paper but was actually missing. Fixed deposit of Rs 30 lakh of farmers Irregularities to the tune of Rs 70.67 lakh were also found in loans made to farmers, including giving loans to people outside the jurisdiction and pocketing the collected money. The minister also revealed a fixed deposit of Rs 30.44 lakh deposited by the farmers in the society. Apart from this, a total of more than two crore scams have been committed, including bank account transactions and personal loans. Divya Bhaskar had voiced the anguish of the farmers eight months ago A detailed report on the matter was submitted by Divya Bhaskar eight months ago on June 8, 2025. In which the allegations of corruption going on in the group were exposed. At that time, the farmers alleged that as many as 21 farmers had consumed the fixed deposits, which is equivalent to their lifetime capital. Not a single rupee in the treasury and a balance of lakhs on paper Bhaskar's report said that during the audit, it was found that not a single rupee was in the treasury of the society. While there was a balance of lakhs on paper. At that time, the farmers were very angry and as there was no solution despite representations, they also threatened to take steps to commit suicide, which showed the seriousness of the entire scam. (Read full report) Minister's arbitrary actions and cheating with farmer members It is clear in the complaint that Minister Kanti Hingrajia has betrayed the trust of the farmers as he handles all the administration of the society. After collecting the loan repayment money from the farmers, they were given permanent access, but instead of depositing it in the books of the society, the minister used to spend it directly. The minister withdrew money by availing fake loans in the name of farmers In many cases, the Minister himself withdrew the money by availing false loans in the name of farmers. No precautions were also taken to enrich the land records due to which the financial condition of the society deteriorated. Step-by-step details of the entire scam began to emerge when the new administration came in after the minister absconded in April 2024 without informing anyone.Depositors' Amount and Irregularities in Fertilizer Stocks There were also large-scale irregularities in the small deposits made by the farmers in the society. The amount of about 23 depositors was not deposited in the balance sheet of the society. The minister gave receipts to the farmers in the name of the society but kept the money with him. At the same time, there was a big scam in the distribution of chemical fertilizers. According to the balance sheet, fertilizer worth lakhs of rupees should have been in stock, but a physical inspection found the warehouse to be empty. It was the responsibility of the minister to deposit the money in the bank account of the society from the sale of fertilizer, which he failed to do so and wasted the money for personal interests. Police have registered a case against the former minister and are investigating. In this chapter of the group, the vigilance under Section 86 was conducted by the order of the District Registrar and subsequently the process of determination of liability under Section 93 has also been undertaken. The complaint currently registered demands action against not only the former minister but also all those whose involvement in the investigation is exposed. It was also discussed that the farmers had made several pushes to lodge a police complaint in the past. Currently, the police have registered a case against the minister under sections including forging documents, breach of trust and embezzlement to nab the former minister so that the farmers can get their rights and justice.