Surat: The former CEO of Surat-based airline Ventura Air Connect, Kartikey Garasiya, was detained at Mumbai Airport before he could fly to the United States in a Rs 2.33 crore cheating case dating back to 2019. Garasiya had collected funds from the company to purchase a four-seater aircraft but neither completed the purchase nor returned the money.

The complaint was filed in September 2019 by the airline’s adviser, Manu Sojitra, at Umra Police Station, leading to charges of cheating and criminal breach of trust. According to the complainant, Garasiya had promised to arrange an aircraft for Rs 3.52 crore. Holding a US pilot license, he allegedly received USD 5.25 lakh from the company in September 2016.

However, when questioned about the delay in delivery, Garasiya reportedly claimed that the aircraft had been damaged in a storm and assured the company the amount would be recovered through an insurance claim. Under pressure from the company, he returned only Rs 1.19 crore.

A case was registered with Umra police, but Garasiya could not be traced during the initial investigation, prompting a lookout notice against him. Recently, he arrived at Mumbai Airport to travel to the United States. Acting on the lookout notice, Mumbai police detained him and informed the Umra authorities. PSI B.D. Wagh of the Umra Police Station surveillance team immediately traveled to Mumbai and apprehended Garasiya, who was later produced in court on Monday, where a two-day police remand was granted.

Ventura Air Connect operates small aircraft connecting Surat with other destinations within the state. DeshGujarat