Pune: A shocking case of financial fraud has surfaced, where a local pharmaceutical distributor was allegedly duped of ₹4.4 crore under the guise of exporting medicines to Dubai. Vishrambaug Police have registered a case of cheating against two individuals, and officials suspect that the accused may have defrauded more victims using similar tactics.
The complaint was filed by Nilesh Sohanlal Sonigara (46), a resident of Mukundnagar, who owns New Amar Pharmaceuticals in Sadashiv Peth. According to police reports, Sonigara supplies medicines to hospitals and retailers across Pune. In 2020, he began providing medicines on credit to a woman named Sonali Girigosavi (42), proprietor of Om Sainath Medical in Mahamadwadi.
In November 2024, Girigosavi introduced Sonigara to Jayesh Vasant Jain (41), who runs Srushti Healthcare in Maharshinagar. Jain claimed to have business connections in Dubai and said a company there required a large consignment of medicines. Girigosavi encouraged Sonigara to participate in the deal.
Believing the proposal, Sonigara supplied medicines worth ₹4.4 crore between March 13 and May 8, 2025, under the name of Girigosavi’s store. In return, she issued 60 post-dated cheques with a one-month credit promise. However, when Sonigara approached her for payment, she dodged his calls and warned him not to deposit the cheques due to insufficient funds in her account. Eventually, all contact ceased.
Further inquiry revealed that Girigosavi had previously taken ₹83.38 lakh worth of medicines on credit from another distributor and failed to repay. Investigations also uncovered that the medicines she obtained from Sonigara were handed over to Jain’s pharmacy, raising suspicions of collusion between the two.
The case is currently being investigated by Crime Branch Police Inspector Arun Ghodke. Authorities believe more people might have been defrauded in a similar manner, and the scope of the fraud could expand as the investigation continues.
