Former Surya Biofuels Zambia Boss ejected Over Fraud Allegations

The former Managing Director of Surya Biofuels Zambia Limited, Mr. Chetan Kumar Champalal Jain, has been removed from Zambia after authorities accused him and others of stealing intellectual property related to filling station drawings and using forged immigration documents. The removal took place on 10 July 2023, following an order from the Department of Immigration, citing violations of the Immigration and Deportation Act.

Mr. Sanjay Kumar Sharma, Director Administration of Surya Biofuels Zambia, confirmed the removal, stating that Mr. Jain was employed based on his expertise and track record to help expand the company’s business operations. Prior to joining Surya Biofuels, Mr. Jain had served as the Chief Executive Officer for the Liquid, Petroleum, and Gas (LPG) division of Mount Meru Petroleum Zambia until he was fired in 2021 for gross misconduct.

Mr. Dharmesh Patel, the Managing Director of Mount Meru Petroleum Zambia, also confirmed Mr. Jain’s previous employment with their company. He clarified that their company’s employment policy prohibits former employees from joining competitor Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) within two years of leaving the company.

Regarding recent media reports, Mr. Patel asserted that Mount Meru Petroleum Zambia reinvests over 90 percent of its profits back into Zambia, contributing significantly to the country’s Gross Domestic Product and creating thousands of jobs for Zambians.

Meanwhile, media reports have alleged that Mr. Himanshu Shah, proprietor of Karan Petroleum Zambia, uses his organization to evade taxes and externalize profits to a Dubai-based parent company. The reports also claim that Mr. Shah retains expatriates in positions where qualified Zambians could be employed and that he allegedly engages in bribery within the Zambian Energy regulatory system to conduct business.

Mr. Himanshu Shah, responding to the allegations, dismissed them as ill-intended and aimed at smearing his organization by competitors. He emphasized his company’s adherence to the rule of law in Zambia and his longstanding track record in the OMC sector.

As investigations continue, the removal of the former Surya Biofuels Zambia boss and the allegations surrounding Karan Petroleum Zambia have drawn attention to the issue of fraud within the energy sector. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation, and the outcome of these investigations may have significant implications for the companies involved and the broader business landscape in Zambia.