Ahmedabad: A major alleged financial fraud involving more than ₹250 crore has surfaced in the city, with 267 traders accusing the owners of Osia Hypermart of cheating them by procuring goods on credit, issuing cheques that later bounced, and subsequently going absconding.

According to the affected traders, Osia Hypermart owner Dhirendra Chopra, also known as Dheeraj Chopra, and his wife Kavita Chopra allegedly procured goods worth crores of rupees from suppliers over several years by building trust through regular business dealings. However, payments to traders reportedly stopped around eight months ago.

The traders alleged that whenever they approached the mall owners regarding pending dues, they were assured that payments would be cleared soon. As a guarantee, the traders were allegedly issued advance cheques. However, when suppliers deposited the cheques in banks after waiting for months, the cheques reportedly bounced one after another, exposing the alleged fraud.

Following the incident, 267 traders have jointly submitted a police application seeking legal action against the accused and government intervention to help recover their money. Several other small traders are also believed to have suffered losses but are yet to formally file complaints.

The traders further claimed that after the alleged fraud came to light, Dhirendra Chopra and others associated with the hypermart became unreachable. The phones of several managers who handled procurement and vendor coordination are reportedly switched off. Traders also expressed concern after learning that Osia Mall has now reached the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), while some rental dues linked to the mall property are also reportedly pending.

Vivekbhai, one of the affected traders, claimed that he had supplied various products to the mall on credit and that cheques worth ₹1.57 crore issued to him were dishonoured after the company entered NCLT proceedings. He alleged that no contact could now be established with the owners and said the traders would approach the Gujarat Chamber of Commerce and Industry (GCCI) for support.

Another trader, Hiteshbhai Thakkar, who claimed losses of around ₹25 lakh, said he regularly supplied branded products such as Colgate and Harpic to the mall. “We had purchased goods from companies after making advance payments. Now our entire investment is stuck. Neither Dheeraj Chopra nor the mall managers are answering calls,” he alleged.

Trader Narendra Tiwari, who supplied footwear products to the mall, alleged that payment instructions for a cheque issued to him were stopped before he could deposit it in the bank.

The affected traders said the alleged scam has severely impacted the financial condition of several small and middle-class businessmen. They have demanded strict action from the police administration and immediate government intervention to help recover dues amounting to crores of rupees. DeshGujarat