Adding to the recent string of fake scams in Gujarat, a shocking case of a fake toll booth operating for over a year and a half has come to light. Located near the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) toll booth in Morbi, the fake booth collected crores of rupees from unsuspecting motorists.
The illegal operation, run by a retired army man named Ravi and his associates, charged vehicles between Rs. 50 and Rs. 200, depending on their size. This scam continued unabated for months despite the NHAI and Safe Way Company, responsible for the original toll booth, informing the authorities in writing on multiple occasions.
Letters were sent to the District Collector, Superintendent of Police, and even the Wankaner Provincial Officer, but no action was taken. Even a complaint filed at the Wankaner Police Station on May 30th, 2023, went unheeded. This raises serious questions about the Morbi administration’s inaction and potential involvement of influential figures.
The fake booth was constructed on private land near the Vaghasia toll plaza, using a closed ceramic factory as its base. The operation was so elaborate that it even had staff dressed as toll booth officials, issuing fake receipts to legitimise their scam.
The scale of this fraud is staggering. Crores of rupees were siphoned off by the perpetrators, while the rightful authorities turned a blind eye. The question now is whether the investigation will be thorough enough to recover the stolen money and punish those responsible.
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