Kolkata trader accused of not paying Rs 3.97 crore for timber bought from Nagpur firm

A case of cheating involving about Rs 3.97 crore has come to light against a Kolkata trader, on a complaint by a Nagpur timber dealer. The trader is accused of ordering timber worth crores of rupees from Nagpur, receiving the goods and not paying for them. Lakadganj police have registered a case of cheating on the complaint and begun an investigation.

According to the complaint filed with the police, the accused has been identified as Varun Anand Kumar Bhimsamka (50), a resident of Nimtala in Kolkata. The complainant, Harshit Abhay Sanghvi (33), lives in Vardhman Nagar. With his father Abhay, he runs a timber mart in Vardhman Nagar called "Jayantibhai Gulabchand and Brothers". Timber is sent from the establishment to different parts of the country.

The accused trader is said to have contacted the timber mart and expressed a wish to buy timber in large quantities. Business between the two then began. According to the complaint, between February 27, 2024 and March 24, 2025, the accused bought timber worth a total of Rs 3.97 crore. All the goods were dispatched as per the orders.

The complainant alleges that after taking goods worth crores of rupees, the accused began stalling on payment. The complainant and his family made several attempts to recover the outstanding amount. They had hoped that, given the business relationship, the money would be received soon, but the amount did not arrive for a long time.

As time passed, the problem of the unpaid amount grew. When no payment was made despite long waiting and repeated efforts, Harshit Sanghvi finally went to the police and filed a complaint about the entire matter.

On the basis of this complaint, Lakadganj police have registered a case of cheating against Kolkata resident Varun Anand Kumar Bhimsamka. Police are now examining the documents of the transaction between the two, the supply of timber, the payment details and other related aspects.

The full sequence of events and the facts bearing on responsibility in the case, which involves an outstanding amount of about Rs 3.97 crore, will become clear only after the investigation. For now, the allegations against the accused are being investigated.