Gujarat Maritime Board Clerk Dies in Custody Amid Document Leak Scandal

Nishidh Jani, a clerk at the Gujarat Maritime Board (GMB) arrested for allegedly leaking confidential documents to journalist Mahesh Langa, passed away in a hospital after his health deteriorated while in Sabarmati Central Prison.

His sudden death, occurring just two weeks after his arrest, has sparked widespread scrutiny and raised questions about a potential corruption network.

Jani, who had been battling a chronic lung condition, fell critically ill late Monday night while detained. According to Gandhinagar Superintendent of Police Ravi Teja Vasamsetty, prison authorities promptly transferred him to Ahmedabad Civil Hospital, where he was pronounced dead during treatment.

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While Jani’s pre-existing health issues were noted, his abrupt demise in custody has intensified public and official interest in the case.

The controversy stems from Jani’s arrest in October 2024, linked to a case involving Mahesh Langa, a journalist already under investigation for a Goods and Services Tax (GST) scam. During a raid on Langa’s residence, Gandhinagar police uncovered sensitive GMB documents, prompting a separate investigation into document theft and corruption

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 Following a formal complaint by the GMB, authorities identified Jani as the alleged source of the leaked files, leading to his arrest under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for theft and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

Langa, meanwhile, remains embroiled in multiple investigations, including the GST scam and the document leak case. Jani’s death, however, has cast uncertainty over the probe, leaving investigators grappling with questions about the extent of the leak network within the GMB and the potential involvement of other individuals.

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As the inquiry continues, Jani’s passing has added a layer of complexity to an already high-profile case, with authorities under pressure to uncover the full scope of the alleged corruption.