Over 50 Fake Bills Allegedly Prepared Using Shamli Shopkeepers’ Names

Shopkeepers in Shamli have allegedly been named on fake bills without their knowledge, through which payments running into lakhs of rupees were made. More than 50 fake bills were reportedly prepared in the names of medical stores and stationery shops using the stamp of the Central Warehouse, Shamli.

The bills carry the names of the shops as well as mobile numbers. The matter was brought to the notice of officials by Devraj Malik, president of the Shamli Chemists Association. After the issue came to light, the District Magistrate ordered an inquiry. Officials said action would be taken against anyone found guilty in the investigation.

Several bills have emerged during the preliminary examination of the case. In one instance, a bill for Rs 1080 was prepared in the name of Bharat Medical Store. Devraj Malik, who runs the store and is also the district president of the Chemists Association, said that the bill had not been issued by him.

According to Malik, the GST number mentioned on the bill is incorrect, although the mobile number recorded on it belongs to him. He also said that the signatures on the bill were not his. Malik said he would complain to the officials about the matter. There is also a suspicion that other bills were prepared in the name of his shop and that payments running into lakhs of rupees were made through them.

In another case, a slip dated 14 August was prepared in the name of Dr Akbar Khan for Bhuyansh Yadav. Dr Khan denied issuing any such slip. He said that he would complain to the District Magistrate about the matter. The question of who prepared the slip in his name has also become part of the inquiry.

A slip dated 29 July was also prepared in the name of Verma Dental Clinic. Dr Ajay denied that the slip was issued by him and demanded action in the matter. The allegations connected with the dental clinic are also to be examined during the inquiry.

Another bill, for Rs 1565, was prepared in the name of Usman Medical Store on 27 July. Details of medicines for fever and other medicines were recorded on it. The shop operator described the bill as fake and said that he had not issued it.

A bill for Rs 1330 was prepared in the name of City Magazine Stationery, a shop in the city. The bill listed paper, tape, pads and registers. The shop owner, Rajat, denied issuing the bill.

Similarly, a bill dated 27 August for Rs 650 was shown in the name of Shriram Electric. It included a motor pump and other items. The shop operator said that the signatures recorded on the bill were not his.

According to Devraj Malik, the names of more than 50 shops have surfaced in the matter. He said that he would meet the District Magistrate, the Sub-Divisional Magistrate and other officials concerned to submit a complaint. Malik has demanded a fair investigation and action against those responsible.

The investigation will determine where the fake bills were prepared and for what purpose they were used. It will also examine who arranged the payments on the basis of the bills and which people played a role in the process.

Another key question is whether anyone from the Central Warehouse was involved or whether outsiders misused the name of the institution. The facts will become clear only after the investigation is completed. At this stage, the allegations remain subject to the inquiry.

District Magistrate Alok Yadav said that the matter would be investigated. He said that action would be taken against whoever is found guilty during the investigation.

Superintendent of Police NP Singh also described the matter as serious and said that an inquiry would be conducted.

Sandeep Kumar, manager of the Central Warehouse, said that an investigation would be conducted to find out who prepared the fake bills in the name of the institution and where they were prepared. He also said that action would be taken against those found guilty in the inquiry.

The photograph is credited to Mahboob Ali.