NAGPUR: An employee of a wholesale tea distribution company has allegedly misappropriated ₹2.69 lakh collected from 83 retailers and dealers across Nagpur and four other districts before fleeing to his native village. When the company owner contacted him to demand the money, the accused allegedly threatened to kill him and defame him.

According to the complaint lodged by Pawan Tiwari Parihar (55), a resident of Vasant Vihar, Plot No. 11, Wadi, he runs a wholesale and retail tea business dealing in Dilkhush Tea and loose tea leaves. The company operates from Ratan Vihar, Wadi, and supplies tea products to retailers and dealers.

The accused, Samarth Singh Bhadoria (28), was employed with the company and was responsible for delivering tea products to retailers and dealers across Nagpur, Bhandara, Chandrapur, Wardha and Gadchiroli districts. He used a Mahindra Maxximo goods carrier (MH-40-Y-9524) for deliveries.

Police said the accused had gained the complainant’s confidence and was authorised to collect payments from retailers and dealers. He allegedly collected a total of ₹2,69,610 through cash and online transactions from 83 shopkeepers but did not deposit the amount with the company. Instead, he allegedly used the money for his personal benefit.

The alleged misappropriation came to light after the accused reportedly fled to his native village on September 24, 2026. When the complainant contacted him over the phone and demanded the outstanding amount, the accused allegedly threatened to kill him and tarnish his reputation.

Following the complaint, Wadi police registered a case against Bhadoria under Sections 316(4), 351(2) and 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).