Ahmedabad, August 5, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
A 37-year-old man accused of masterminding the alleged embezzlement of over Rs 1.56 crore from an Ahmedabad-based technology company has been arrested from Surat after remaining on the run for nearly three months, police said on Wednesday.
The accused, identified as Nikhil Khalas, was traced to the Katargam area of Surat through technical surveillance and arrested by a team of Ellis Bridge Police Station with support from the Local Crime Branch (LCB), Zone-7.
According to Ahmedabad Police, Khalas had allegedly been evading arrest by frequently changing locations across several states, including Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Jammu and Kashmir, Chhattisgarh and various districts of Gujarat. Investigators said he had also attempted to conceal his digital identity during his movements.
Police alleged that Khalas, who was working as Head of the Support Bidding Division at Ahmedabad-based e-Procurement Technologies Limited, misused his administrative access to alter the company’s bidder account details. The original bank details were allegedly replaced with accounts belonging to him and his associates, resulting in the transfer of Rs 1,56,65,211, police claimed.
An FIR was registered at Ellis Bridge Police Station on May 19 under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, including provisions related to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, identity theft and cyber offences.
The investigation was conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Zone-7, Shivam Verma. Police Inspector K.M. Bhuva of Ellis Bridge Police Station led the probe.
Police said technical intelligence developed by PSI H.D. Vaghela of LCB Zone-7 helped establish that Khalas was hiding in Surat. A surveillance team headed by PSI P.B. Chaudhary was subsequently sent to the city, where officers tracked and arrested him.
Investigators said the digital trail of the alleged proceeds had already been identified and Rs 61,44,356 had been frozen. Police are now seeking custody of the accused to recover the remaining amount.
During the operation, police seized three mobile phones valued at Rs 8,000 and a laptop worth Rs 20,000, with the total value of seized items estimated at Rs 28,000.
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