Crime watch — Kapol bank fraud

Vora, on behalf of his company, gave cheques whose total value is Rs 2 lakh to Shiv Casting and Printers, Continental Exporters, Matunga Estate and Trading Company, which were deposited at different banks. When the cheques came in for clearance, despite insufficient funds in the current account of Gujar Steel, Bhilota intentionally retained the same cheques with him at the instance of Vora, instead of returning the cheques as per the procedure. Similarly, he retained 6 clearing cheques valued at Rs 32.50 lakh despite insufficient funds in the account of Samir Traders thereby causing a loss to the bank. Bhilota then made a payment of three other cheques valued at Rs 24.40 lakh which later bounced.

Contraband

The officers of the Air Intelligence Unit arrested a Yemeni yesterday on charges of smuggling gold coins and cigarette cartons valued at Rs 6.63 lakh at the local market.

Ratima Ahmed Hussein Al Shawi arrived from Aden by flight I Y 838. A detailed examination of her baggage and person resulted in the recovery of 195 gold coins totally weighing 1556 grams valued at Rs 6.41 lakh and 95 cigarette cartons valued at Rs 21, 375 at the local market.

She has been remanded to judicial custody till July 24.

Broker arrested

n THE General Branch of the Mumbai police arrested a stock broker yesterday for allegedly cheating a National Stock Exchange Registered Finance Company to the tune of Rs 71.88 lakh. The accused Suarabh Mahendra Nanavati,alias Paras Shah (24), along with Rajesh Shah and Naresh Shah, were the proprietors of Delta Funds Stock Broking Firm. The trio allegedly sold stolen shares of reputed companies to Pittie Securities Limited. While Saurabh has been remanded to police custody till August 5, 1997, Rajesh and Naresh are said to be absconding.