Farmer In Dock Over Insurance Forgery 17 Years After Accident

A 65-year-old farmer from Bavla has landed in trouble for allegedly faking insurance documents in a road accident case that dates back to 2008, according to a recent report by the Times of India. Police have booked Arvind Patel after fresh checks by an insurance company showed that the papers he produced at the time were forged.

The case goes back to a three-wheeler accident in September 2008. Patel, the vehicle’s owner, placed documents before the Motor Accident Claims Tribunal (MACT) to show that the vehicle had valid cover. For years, the matter gathered dust. It came to light only recently, when the insurer reviewed tribunal records and noticed something unusual about the policy details.

Policy Issued Months Later

Investigators say Patel’s vehicle did have an insurance policy, but it began in December 2008, three months after the accident. To bridge the gap, Patel allegedly tampered with the policy number and changed the dates. The altered papers were then submitted as evidence of cover.

When the insurer cross-checked the number in its system, it drew a blank. This led to closer scrutiny, and the forged entries were subsequently revealed. The company then lodged a complaint with Kerala GIDC police.

FIR And Further Probe

Based on the complaint, the police registered an First Information Report (FIR) against Patel. He has been charged under sections of the IPC dealing with cheating, forgery, and using forged documents. Officials said the investigation will also look into whether Patel acted alone or had help from others in preparing the papers.

Police sources pointed out that forged insurance papers are not uncommon in accident claims. Many cases pass unnoticed unless insurers actively re-verify old files. In this instance, the discrepancy was caught years later during an audit of tribunal cases.

Patel, now in his mid-sixties, faces the prospect of a legal battle over a case most would have assumed was long buried. For the police and the insurer, the matter is a reminder that even after years, false claims can resurface and invite criminal action.