GCF had a simple demand – that government agencies should protect the consumer’s right to safety from fake providers operating in Goa. And we know that the government’s track record on doing so is dismal. In fact, GCF's letter to the ROC K S Reddy, says, “We are convinced that he(Ajju Sindolli) has even got assistance from some officials of the Economic Offences Cell (EOC) of Goa Police and thereby is able to continue to fleece innocent people on a daily basis.”

July 2, 2019

Lionel Messias

A cataract operation kept me out semi-blinded but not blindsided I assure you, but I had to write something. Problem was what? Simple Lorna Fernandes, the chief woman of the Goa Women’s Forum (GWF), and like my friend, Judith Almeida, of Colva, with cojones to do what it takes. And no apologies for saying that because Judith is fighting relentlessly to preserve Goa. Read about what a handful of middle-aged women did, but the media gave them no coverage except to report it dutifully without the real evidence.

On June 25, State Consumer Rights Day, these eight women, led by Lorna Fernandes, Convenor, held up placards against the fake companies of Ajju Sindolli at Corporate Bhavan, Margao, and even submitted a letter to the Registrar of Companies(ROC). They had a simple demand – that government agencies should protect the consumer’s right to safety from fake providers operating in Goa. And we know that the government’s track record on doing so is dismal. In fact, the letter to the ROC K S Reddy, says, “We are convinced that he has even got assistance from some officials of the Economic Offences Cell (EOC) of Goa Police and thereby is able to continue to fleece innocent people on a daily basis.”

GWF volunteers held the protest to highlight the loopholes in the system which allows people like Ajju Sindolli to advertise his companies which he claims are operating in India, Hong Kong and USA. The modus operandi being used is to defraud innocent people, particularly women, by showing that these companies are registered and genuine and even advertised on boards in Panjim to impress people.

The GCF says that in the case of Ajju Sindolli, he is operating various businesses under the name and style of “Ajju Group of Companies” and “Ajju Business Centre Pvt. Ltd.” and by doing so he has managed to convince many to part with their gold and cash to invest in his companies and assures them of huge returns.

Smooth operator


The most recent case was when he defrauded two women from Tivim, Bardez, of their gold ornaments by colluding with some officials of the Bank of India. “We are getting more and more information that he is able to continue to defraud people because he is able to present himself as a prominent businessman having offices in Panjim,” Lorna said. “The delegation expressed their concern to the ROC that the situation has reached such proportions that if no action is taken immediately more innocent people will be defrauded,” Lorna said.

In fact, Ajju Sindolli has managed to show himself as being a member of the Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI) and shown that Prasanna Archarya (Director of Mines and Geology) is part of his management team so as create a link with that Department. The delegation told the ROC that under the “Ajju Group of Companies,” Ajju Sindolli has shown ownership of a venture as Ajju Mines & Minerals Limited and Ajju Business Center Pvt. Ltd.

GWF also submitted to the ROC a list of 25 court cases involving Ajju Sindolli before JMFC courts of Panaji, Bicholim, Margao, Ponda and Mapusa. Beses, there are four cases before the CJM at Faridabad and one before the JMFC Hubli, it was pointed out.

Despite their efforts to protect the consumer, the real question is whether the government will take cognizance and do the same?  Your guess is as good as mine!