Interstate syndicate that used forged GHADC documents and fake ‘Non-Tribal Trading Licences’ to attempt a Rs 46-crore fraud on a Gujarat-based businessman dismantled
TURA, June 20: In a cross-border operation, West Garo Hills police have dismantled an interstate syndicate that used forged Garo Hills Autonomous District Council (GHADC) documents and fake “Non-Tribal Trading Licences” to attempt a Rs 46-crore fraud on a Gujarat-based businessman.
The crackdown follows an FIR filed by the Secretary of the GHADC on May 7 regarding an organised racket using counterfeit work orders.
Police intercepted the gang on June 12 at the Greenwood Hotel in Guwahati, where they were reportedly meeting to finalize a deal with the victim.
The syndicate targeted a saree businessman from Surat, Gujarat, using a forged “Trading by Non-Tribal” licence—a document central to the legal protections of the Sixth Schedule. The suspects had already defrauded the victim of Rs 3 lakh and were in the process of demanding a 4% commission on a bogus work order worth approximately Rs 46 crore.
The six arrested individuals represent a diverse, organised network spanning several states. They are Taposh Mukherjee (45) of Faridabad, Haryana; Narendra Singh (46) of Kamrup, Assam; Dip Hazarika (53) of Guwahati; Mridupaban Gogol (40) of Golaghat; Kokkal Dutta (58) of Bongaigaon; and Reeturaj Kaundinya (50), who was apprehended separately in Tezpur.
Police recovered Rs 50,000 in cash alongside the forged GHADC licences and work orders.
West Garo Hills SP Abraham T Sangma stated that the evidence points toward an organised criminal network dedicated to creating fake government documents for financial gain.
The scale of the fraud has raised serious concerns regarding the security of GHADC’s institutional identity. By forging trading licences, the syndicate exploited regulations meant to protect tribal interests to provide fake legitimacy to outside businesses.
WGH police have advised all contractors, traders, and suppliers to verify the authenticity of any work order or license directly with the issuing authority before making payments. Investigations are ongoing to identify additional members of the racket and other potential victims across the country.
