Ahmedabad: The CBI Court in Ahmedabad has convicted and sentenced three individuals to three years’ imprisonment along with a fine of ₹30,000 each in a fraud case involving the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). The judgment was delivered on 9 December 2025.

Those convicted include:

• Atul Naranbhai Panchal, Proprietor, M/s National Machine Tools, Ahmedabad
• Mahendra Singh P. Vaghela, Employee, M/s National Machine Tools, Ahmedabad
• Ghanshyam Rambrich Pandey, Proprietor, M/s Ahmedabad Road Carriers, Ahmedabad

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had registered the case on 22 June 2011 against Atul Naranbhai Panchal, unknown officials of ONGC Mumbai, and others. As per the FIR, Panchal conspired with unknown ONGC officials and associates to fraudulently obtain ₹67,58,938 from ONGC on 1 June 2011. The accused allegedly claimed payment by falsely showing dispatch of goods on 29 April 2011, despite no goods being sent, thereby violating the terms of the purchase order and cheating the public sector company.

Upon completion of investigations, the CBI filed a charge sheet on 27 December 2011 against:

• Atul Naranbhai Panchal
• Bhavin Patel, Surveyor, M/s Det Norske Veritas, Ahmedabad
• Mahendra Singh P. Vaghela
• Ghanshyam Rambrich Pandey

After the trial, the court found three of the accused guilty and sentenced them accordingly. The case against Bhavin Patel, Surveyor at Det Norske Veritas, was separated as he is currently absconding. DeshGujarat