Surat: A woman ayurveda practitioner from the city was allegedly cheated of Rs 58 lakh in an investment fraud after being promised large returns from investments in a company called “Norwela Ayurvedic Company’. After investing Rs 65 lakh, the victim received only Rs 7 lakh, with the accused allegedly refusing to return the remaining amount. Mital Rakholiya, who runs Krishna Skin Care Centre in the Mahidharpura area, met Mukesh Ukani in connection with his ayurvedic medicine business. In 2024, Ukani showed her photographs on his mobile phone of what he claimed were his overseas company and a unit in Surat, and promised substantial profits to persuade her to invest. Rakholiya believed him and visited his office at Yogi Chowk. She handed over all her savings, family gold and borrowed money from friends, eventually giving him Rs 65 lakh in instalments. Initially, Ukani returned Rs 7 lakh in cash. When she later demanded the profits and principal, he gave her a promissory note and three signed cheques from Varachha Bank on Aug 1, 2024. Despite repeated requests, Ukani allegedly evaded her and stopped responding to calls. Rakholiya then approached Sarthana police and filed a complaint.
