Ahmedabad: A senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving as Additional Director in the Gujarat Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has accused a builder couple of cheating him and his late father of ₹70.3 lakh in a series of property transactions spanning several years. Based on his complaint, the Chandkheda Police in Ahmedabad have registered an FIR against the couple under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for cheating and criminal conspiracy, along with relevant sections of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.
The complaint was filed by Pravinsinh Mal (IPS), who alleged that the accused took money for a flat and two residential plots but neither executed the sale deeds nor refunded the amount despite repeated assurances.
Officer Claims Trust Was Built Over Years
According to the FIR, the officer first met Amit Jani and his wife Jignasha Jani in 2014, when he was serving as Superintendent of Police, Sabarkantha. The couple was introduced to him by a senior officer and claimed to be established builders with projects across Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar and Halol.
Mal alleged that the couple frequently visited his residence and gradually gained the confidence of both him and his late father.
₹61.2 Lakh Paid for Flats
The IPS officer stated that between 2014 and 2019, he and his father paid ₹61.2 lakh to the couple for two residential flats.
According to the complaint, his father invested his pension savings and agricultural income after relying on the builders’ assurances.
The FIR further alleges that Amit Jani did not issue receipts for the payments but instead maintained records in a red diary, allegedly using coded entries.
Flat Handed Over, Sale Deed Never Executed
The complaint states that the couple later proposed adjusting the earlier payments against Flat No. A-302 at Belvedere, Godrej Garden City, Jagatpur.
Possession of the flat was reportedly handed over in February 2019 through an oral agreement, with repeated assurances that the sale deed would be executed later.
However, despite several reminders, the couple allegedly continued delaying the registration process.
Fresh Investment for Plots
According to the FIR, in 2020, Amit Jani allegedly persuaded the officer to invest an additional ₹9.1 lakh for two residential plots in a Greenwood scheme.
Mal alleged that neither were the plots transferred in his name nor was the money refunded.
He further claimed that he later discovered Amit Jani was not engaged in the construction business as represented and allegedly did not own the plots that had been offered.
SC/ST Act Invoked
Apart from allegations of financial fraud, the IPS officer also alleged that the builder couple made caste-based derogatory remarks against him and his family.
Based on these allegations, police have also invoked provisions of the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, in addition to charges of cheating and criminal conspiracy under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police Begin Investigation
Following the complaint, the Chandkheda Police registered an FIR against Amit Jani and Jignasha Jani.
The investigation is underway to examine the financial transactions, ownership claims relating to the flat and plots, and the allegations concerning caste-based abuse.
No statement from the accused couple was immediately available.
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