VALPOI
Valpoi police seized gold jewellery valued at Rs 44 lakh from Vidisha and Vijayanath Gawde, a couple accused of defrauding individuals by promising flats or plots in Bicholim and Dodamarg.
The suspects reportedly took a loan of Rs 32.97 lakh by mortgaging jewellery at a private bank in Mapusa.
The police confiscated jewellery worth Rs 43.97 lakh from the bank’s branches in Mapusa and Duler.
Specifically, Rs 13.15 lakh was mortgaged for a loan of Rs 9.86 lakh at the Duler branch, while Rs 30.81 lakh was mortgaged for a loan of Rs 23.11 lakh at the Mapusa branch.
Alarmingly, the bank accepted the jewellery without any valid bills, with bank managers acknowledging that no proper documentation was presented.
Police Inspector Videsh Shirodkar stated that this practice violates Reserve Bank of India (RBI) guidelines and called for action against negligent bank officials, as their actions enable criminal activities.
The couple was arrested on September 13 after a complaint from Rupali Parwar of Morlem, who claimed they took Rs 26 lakh for a flat in Maulinguem-Bicholim, but failed to deliver after two years.
The police have registered four cases against them and are urging others who may have been defrauded to come forward.
