Surat. A cinematic drama, much like Akshay Kumar’s film ‘Special 26’, was witnessed in reality in the Varachha area of Surat. A man wearing a suit, boots, and branded glasses, claiming to be an Income Tax (IT) officer, tried to dupe businessmen, but the vigilance of the police foiled his plans. Varachha police have arrested the accused, Vijaysinh Chauhan, red-handed from the Bliss Hotel.

Vijaysinh Chauhan, a 51-year-old resident of Pali district in Rajasthan, arrived at Varachha’s Global Textile Market in the full getup of a ‘Class-One officer’. With aviator goggles on his eyes, a tie around his neck, a coat in hand, and fake Income Tax files—his appearance was so accurate that anyone could be deceived at first glance. Upon entering the market, he spread rumors among the businessmen about tax evasion and made an entry into a shop in the style of conducting a raid.

The accused threatened a businessman, trapping him in allegations of tax irregularities, and demanded a ransom of 30 lakh rupees. After much bargaining, the deal was settled at 4 lakh rupees. However, observing his manner of speaking and his ‘over-acting’, the businessman became suspicious. Showing prudence, the businessman immediately informed the Varachha police.

Police had received information that the accused would be coming to the Bliss Hotel to collect the money. The police laid a trap and apprehended Vijaysinh as soon as he arrived. As soon as the police’s khaki uniform appeared, all the accused’s cinematic ‘style’ vanished into thin air.

The accused is a graduate and had previously worked in tax-related retail in Pali, Rajasthan. Because of this, he had good knowledge of the department’s procedures and paperwork.

He had set out to execute this major incident within just 24 hours of arriving in Surat from Rajasthan. During police interrogation, he claimed that he works as an ‘informer’ for real officers, which the police are investigating thoroughly.

Varachha police have appealed to businessmen and citizens that if anyone intimidates them or demands money by claiming to be a government officer, they should first ask for their official identity card (ID Card). In case of any doubt, immediately inform the local police station or higher authorities (ACP/DCP). Do not give any cash to a suspicious person in a state of panic.

Surat

Surat is a historic port city in the Indian state of Gujarat, renowned as a major trading hub during the Mughal era, particularly for textiles and diamonds. Its prominence grew in the 16th and 17th centuries when it served as the primary gateway for Muslim pilgrims traveling to Mecca and for European trading companies, including the British and Dutch. Today, it remains a vital economic center, often called the “Diamond City of India” for its global diamond cutting and polishing industry.

Varachha

Varachha is a prominent neighborhood in Surat, India, historically known as a hub for the city’s diamond polishing and trading industry. It developed significantly from the late 20th century, largely driven by the entrepreneurial efforts of the local Patidar community, who established it as a global center for diamond cutting and processing. Today, it is a vibrant, densely populated area reflecting the economic success and cultural identity of its residents.

Bliss Hotel

The Bliss Hotel is a historic luxury hotel located in downtown Beirut, Lebanon, originally opened in the 1950s. It became a prominent cultural and social hub, famously frequented by journalists, intellectuals, and diplomats, particularly during the Lebanese Civil War (1975-1990). Although the original hotel closed in the 1980s, its name remains iconic in Lebanese memory, symbolizing a bygone era of Beirut’s cosmopolitan history.

Global Textile Market

The Global Textile Market, often referring to the historic cloth bazaars found in cities like Delhi or Istanbul, is a traditional hub for fabric trade dating back centuries, often situated along ancient trade routes. These markets have historically been central to local economies, showcasing regional weaving techniques, dyes, and textiles like silks and cottons. Today, they remain vibrant commercial and cultural centers, blending historical commerce with modern retail.

Pali district

Pali district is located in the state of Rajasthan, India, and is historically significant as a core region of the ancient Marwar kingdom. Its history is deeply tied to the Rathore Rajputs, and it is renowned for the intricate Paliya memorial stones and the grand Ranakpur Jain Temple, a 15th-century marble masterpiece. Today, it remains an important center for textile manufacturing and religious pilgrimage.

Rajasthan

Rajasthan is a vibrant state in northwestern India, historically known as the “Land of Kings” for its many powerful Rajput kingdoms. Its rich history is showcased through magnificent forts, opulent palaces like those in Jaipur and Udaipur, and a distinct cultural heritage of music, art, and desert festivals.

Income Tax

“Income Tax” is not a specific place or cultural site, but a system of government finance. Its modern form largely developed in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the United Kingdom’s Income Tax Act of 1799 often cited as a key early model for raising revenue during the Napoleonic Wars. Today, it is a nearly universal fiscal mechanism used by governments to fund public services and infrastructure.

Special 26

“Special 26” is not a specific historical place or cultural site, but the title of a 2013 Bollywood heist film. The movie is loosely inspired by a real-life 1987 jewelry store robbery in Mumbai, where a group of con artists, posing as officers from India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), executed a daring theft. Therefore, it refers to a fictionalized story based on criminal events, not a physical location for tourism.