Police in Bhilwara have arrested three men for allegedly burning the finger and toe of a deceased man using matchsticks in an attempt to stage an insurance fraud, officials said on Sunday. One accused remains absconding, while investigation is underway into possible links to similar cases.
Bhilwara Superintendent of Police Dharmendra Singh said the case was registered based on a complaint filed by Chamba Ben from Ahmedabad, Gujarat. She alleged that her 36-year-old son, Deepak, fell seriously ill and was admitted to GCS Medical College in Ahmedabad on May 7.
Alleged conspiracy to convert death into insurance claim
According to police, four men identified as Vishwas Suraj, Rakesh Sansi, Bhikha Bhai and Dalu Gadri, who were reportedly friends of the deceased, allegedly conspired to convert his death into a fraudulent insurance claim. They are said to have planned to collaborate with a doctor in Bhilwara to prepare a postmortem report suggesting accidental death.
Allegations of shifting victim and post-death mutilation
The complainant alleged that Vishwas persuaded the family to move Deepak to a private hospital in Rajasthan and arranged transport to Bhilwara. She further stated that the family was taken to Dalu Gadri’s residence on Maloula Road, where Deepak died while she and her grandson were present in the room.
She alleged that after they were sent out of the house, Vishwas and Rakesh remained inside and burned Deepak’s right-hand finger and left-foot toe with a matchstick to create injury marks consistent with an accident.
Plan collapses at hospital, police alerted
Police said the plan fell apart when the group reached Mandal Hospital in Bhilwara district and found that the doctor they intended to rely on was not present. Hospital staff alerted authorities after Deepak was brought in and declared dead.
Arrests made, one accused absconding
Police have arrested Vishwas Suraj (34), Bhikha Bhai (30) and Dalu Gadri (36), while Rakesh Sansi remains absconding. A case has been registered at Gandhinagar police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Investigators are also probing whether the accused were involved in similar fraud attempts earlier.
