Surat: A 37-year-old computer sales and service businessman has lodged a cheating complaint alleging that he was duped in connection with the purchase and financing of a second-hand SUV, leaving him liable for a loan of around Rs 9.64 lakh.According to the FIR registered at Sarthana police station, the complainant, Jayesh Sharma, decided to buy a second-hand car in April 2025. He came in contact with Kalpesh Antala, who had organised a car mela.Sharma told police that he selected an MG Hector and agreed to buy it for around Rs 10.30 lakh. He submitted his documents to obtain financing through Kogta Financial. A loan account was opened in his name, and Rs 10.22 lakh was sanctioned, with a monthly instalment of Rs 30,638 for 48 months.After the loan was sanctioned, Antala became involved in the handling of the vehicle and repayment of the loan instalments. Sharma paid three instalments before he was injured in an accident, after which he was unable to drive the car and continue making the payments.The FIR states that after learning about Sharma’s situation, Antala introduced him to Pankaj Vaghasiya. Antala allegedly told Sharma that Vaghasiya needed a second-hand car for two years and would pay the loan instalments during that period.Based on this assurance, Sharma handed over the MG Hector to Vaghasiya. However, after paying a couple of instalments, Vaghasiya allegedly stopped making the payments.With around Rs 9.64 lakh still outstanding on the loan, the finance company began demanding payment from Sharma. When he went to Vaghasiya’s office, he found it locked. Sharma alleged that Vaghasiya had stopped responding to his calls.Left with no options, Sharma approached the Sarthana police and registered a complaint.
