Maharashtra Businessman Urges Delhi Police To File FIR Against Nigerian Firms in Rice Export Fraud

By Ananya Bhatnagar

After being allegedly defrauded by a Nigeria based firm, a Maharashtra businessman wrote to Delhi police urging them to register an FIR in connection with a rice export fraud amounting to Rs 6.34 crore (approximately USD 758,000).

The complaint was filed before the Delhi Police against two Benin-based firms, STE Rising SARL and Societe Agric Tech Rice SARL, along with four Indian agents.

Sarvesh Bhutada, who owns Ganesh Agro Products, pursued the said legal action through Supreme Court lawyer SC Mishra, requesting the authorities to initiate proceedings against the accused under relevant legal provisions.

Bhutada, in his complaint stated that the fraud was orchestrated by Indian agents who facilitated rice purchase orders for Cotonou, Benin.

According to the complaint, Ganesh Agro Products, a rice exporter based in Maharashtra’s Gondia district has been awaiting payments for over a year from import agents in Benin.

The complaint also apprised the authorities that Bhutanda had written to the Ministry of External Affairs and sent several legal notices to the said firms. However, even after that the money has not yet come.

Bhutanda has requested the authorities to take stringent measures, including securing the accused individuals’ return to India and ensuring the payment of outstanding dues with interest.

He also apprehended that the accused may be involved in money laundering activities and could be linked to similar fraudulent schemes targeting other Indian businesses.

This article has been republished from News18.