Surat: A complaint was lodged against a diamond broker for allegedly cheating a Katargam-based diamond trading firm of Rs 7.45 crore by taking polished diamonds on credit and submitting forged documents bearing the signatures of traders who denied purchasing the consignment.The FIR was registered at Katargam police station on October 27 following a complaint by Parth Khokhariya (32), a partner in Rijiya Brothers, which deals in diamond processing, manufacturing and trading from Amroli Road in Katargam.According to the complaint, the accused, Hiren Sheladiya, collected polished diamonds weighing 20,379.78 carats from the firm in multiple consignments between September 24 and October 13, 2026. He allegedly promised to make payments within seven days to a month but neither paid for the diamonds nor returned them.Sheladiya had approached the firm in September, introducing himself as a diamond broker who procured polished diamonds from traders on jangad (consignment documents) and sold them in the market. He allegedly assured the partners that he could secure good prices and settle payments within the agreed period.Although initially reluctant to deal with him, the partners agreed after he repeatedly visited the firm and assured them of timely payments. He subsequently began collecting diamonds in several consignments, claiming that he had buyers ready to purchase them.The complaint states that the accused took diamonds worth Rs 7,45,19,662 in 31 transactions. When the payments were delayed, he allegedly told the firm that the diamonds had been sold and that he was awaiting payments from buyers.When the firm demanded documents bearing the buyers’ signatures, Sheladiya allegedly provided jangads carrying their names and signatures. However, when Khokhariya contacted the traders mentioned in the documents, they reportedly denied purchasing the diamonds or signing the papers.The complainant further alleged that Sheladiya stopped answering calls and could not be found at his residence in Mota Varachha. His family members reportedly told Khokhariya that Sheladiya was away on business and was not responding to their calls either.Police have registered a case and are investigating the alleged fraud.
