Sonani Jewels Inaugurated Amid Rs.50 Crore Fraud Allegations in Surat

Surat | Gujarat — The glittering inauguration of Sonani Jewels, touted as the world’s largest lab-grown diamond jewellery showroom on Ghod Dod Road, has been overshadowed by controversy. Even as Union Minister for Jal Shakti C.R. Paatil and Gujarat Assembly Speaker Shankar Chaudhary unveiled the grand showroom, social media platforms have erupted with allegations linking its owners to a massive fraud of ₹50 crore with a trader in Varachha.

According to sources, Sonani Jewels is owned by Diamtek Pvt. Ltd., led by Mahesh Sonani and his two sons, Jayam and Agastya. Viral posts claim the Sonani family borrowed ₹50 crore from a Varachha trader in 2021, allegedly to invest in lab-grown diamond manufacturing technology. However, the posts allege that the money was never repaid, leaving the trader in financial distress.

The allegations, circulating rapidly on WhatsApp and other platforms, have cast a shadow over what was meant to be a landmark moment for Surat’s diamond city.

One trader from Varachha, reacting to the controversy, said, “It is shocking that people accused of duping a trader of ₹50 crore are celebrating with ministers and dignitaries. The government should take this seriously.”

The inauguration of Sonani Jewels was attended by high-profile dignitaries including Surat Mayor Daxesh Mavani, Police Commissioner Anupam Singh Gahlaut, District Collector Dr. Sourabh Pardhi, and Venus Group Chairman Sevanti Shah. Industry insiders noted that such a prestigious launch, in the presence of political and administrative heavyweights, was meant to showcase Surat’s leadership in the lab-grown diamond sector.

However, the allegations have raised difficult questions. A diamond worker’s union member commented, “The industry is already reeling from global tariffs and market slowdown. Fraud allegations of this scale further tarnish Surat’s reputation.”

While no official complaint has yet been confirmed, the social media storm has put the Sonani family under sharp scrutiny. The controversy comes at a time when Surat is positioning itself as a global hub for both natural and lab-grown diamonds.