Indore (Madhya Pradesh): A trader dealing in electric two-wheelers was allegedly cheated of Rs 28.48 lakh by a Maharashtra-based company that promised to supply electric vehicles but failed to deliver as per the contract.

The Malharganj police registered a case against the company's directors Satya Panigrahi and Nilesh Dawre of Mumbai on the complaint of the victim.

According to the police, one Ajay Sharma, a resident of Sangam Nagar, lodged a complaint stating that he ran Mangalam E-World and had entered a contract with Silverline Power Station Pvt. Ltd. on April 14,2023, for purchase of electric vehicles. As part of the agreement, Sharma transferred Rs 28.48 lakh to the company's account.

However, instead of delivering the vehicles, the company supplied defective pieces. When he raised concern, the company assured him that they would replace the faulty units and provide new ones. Later, they persuaded him to return 19 old vehicles and place a fresh order for 40 new ones, claiming they had received a new stock.

Following this, Sharma personally visited the company's manufacturing unit in Sonipat, Haryana, selected the vehicles and paid an additional Rs 5.37 lakh through HDFC Bank and Axis Bank.

However, despite repeated follow-ups, the company's directors Satya Panigrahi and Nilesh Dawre neither delivered the vehicles nor refunded the amount.

Sharma later found that the company had allegedly duped multiple people using similar tactics. When questioned, the company cited a GST raid as an excuse for the delay. However, since January 30, 2024, the accused directors stopped responding to calls, emails and messages.

The police registered a case against the accused under section 420 of the IPC. Further investigation is underway.