In a startling revelation, our investigation has uncovered a major fraud inside the natural cotton trade that has been thriving for the previous three years. Regardless of a number of complaints filed with the World Natural Textile Normal (GOTS), Textile Alternate, and the Accreditation Board (ANAB), no substantial motion has been taken towards the important thing figures concerned, together with Mr. Ravi Bansal and Mr. Ankeet Patel, who’re allegedly collaborating with Mr. Sudarshan Matimuthu, Mr. Sandeep Vishvakarma of IDFL to perpetrate the natural cotton rip-off.
Our sources verify that proof of natural cotton fraud was submitted to GOTS and Textile Alternate on November thirtieth. On mail and Textile Alternate complain portal. Nonetheless, it seems that GOTS and Textile Alternate have not directly supported IDFL in persevering with these fraudulent actions.
It’s believed that Mr. Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director of GOTS, and Mr. Biko Nagara, Assurance Director of Textile Alternate, have been bribed by Mr. James Moore (IDFL) to show a blind eye to the fraud. Studies counsel that Mr. Ravi Bansal offered bribes to IDFL workers, together with Mr. James Moore, who in flip allegedly bribed Mr. Rahul Bhajekar to forestall any motion towards IDFL.
In an sudden transfer, GOTS and Textile Alternate have suspended the accreditation of Intertek—India’s main certification physique, holding over 50% market share—with out conducting any investigation. This suspension has instantly impacted Intertek’s shoppers, making a supply-demand hole that advantages Mr. Ravi Bansal and Mr. Ankeet Patel from IDFL, enabling them to promote counterfeit natural cotton to consumers.
It is very important be aware that, within the historical past of GOTS, no different certification physique has been instantly suspended. Usually, complaints are investigated completely earlier than any motion is taken, however in Intertek’s case, GOTS acted swiftly and with out due course of. This determination appears to have been strategically timed to disrupt the enterprise of Intertek’s clients, additional benefiting Mr. Ravi Bansal and Mr. Ankeet Patel by permitting them to produce faux natural cotton by means of their community, involving IDFL, GOTS, and Textile Alternate.
This operation is a part of a rigorously orchestrated plan by IDFL and its associates, with important help from GOTS and Textile Alternate. Main manufacturers like Inditex, H&M, and C&A are paying substantial charges to GOTS and Textile Alternate for his or her memberships, whereas concurrently promoting counterfeit natural cotton merchandise to shoppers who pay a premium for so-called “organic” items—solely to be deceived.
Our investigation reveals that it is a well-established ecosystem of natural cotton fraud, the place each stakeholder, besides the shoppers, is benefiting financially. Regardless of quite a few makes an attempt over the previous three years to cease this rip-off, our efforts have been thwarted, as GOTS and Textile Alternate seem tired of taking decisive motion. Over 50 items of proof detailing the fraud have been submitted to Rahul Bhajekar & Textile Alternate, but these perpetrators proceed to promote faux natural cotton overtly, with no critical repercussions from GOTS or Textile Alternate.
As a accountable media outlet, we’re dedicated to exposing this rip-off and elevating consciousness amongst shoppers. We urge shoppers to cease buying natural merchandise from these manufacturers and to boycott merchandise labeled with deceptive greenwashing logos resembling GOTS and OCS. Your entire natural cotton certification system, together with ginners, merchants, certification our bodies, accreditation our bodies, manufacturers, and standard-setting organizations, is deeply compromised. It’s time to root out these fraudsters, and if GOTS and Textile Alternate refuse to take motion, we consider it’s our responsibility to tell shoppers in regards to the true nature of the merchandise they’re shopping for at a premium.
We name on shoppers to reject natural merchandise bearing GOTS and OCS logos, that are at present supporting the faux natural cotton provide chain.
The Individuals Concerned:
- Mr. Ravi Bansal: Proprietor Farmers United Home, allegedly concerned in natural cotton fraud and provides bribe to Mr. Sudarshan & Mr. Sandeep of IDFL.
- Mr. Ankeet Patel: Proprietor Uma Exports, allegedly concerned in natural cotton fraud and provides bribe to Mr. Sudarshan & Mr. Sandeep of IDFL..
- Mr. Sudarshan Matimuthu: IDFL worker allegedly complicit in natural cotton fraud and creating faux enter natural TC.
- Mr. Sandip Vishwakarma: IDFL worker, creating faux enter TC and doubling of inventory.
- Mr. Rahul Bhajekar: Managing Director of GOTS, allegedly bribed by Mr. James Moore for not taking any motion towards IDFL
- Mr. Biko Nagara: Assurance Director of Textile Alternate, allegedly bribed by Mr. James Moore for not taking any motion and investigation towards IDFL.
- Mr. Hong Lee: Normal High quality Assurance Senoir Supervisor of Textile Alternate, allegedly bribed by Mr. James Moore for not taking any motion and investigation towards IDFL.
- Mr. James Moore: CEO of IDFL Asia, who in flip allegedly bribed Mr. Rahul Bhajekar & Hong Lee to forestall any motion towards IDFL.
The Manufacturers Concerned:
- Inditex (Industria de Diseño Textil, S.A.)
- H&M (Hennes & Mauritz)
- C&A
- Carrefour
- Walmart
- Bestseller
- SuperDry
The Certification Our bodies Concerned:
The Suppliers Concerned:
- Amiha Agro Non-public Ltd
- Spectrum Cottfibers LLP
- Farmers United Home
- Om Natural Cotton Pvt Ltd
- Beriwali Agriable LLP
- Natural Means
- Udanti Farmers
- Sq. Organics
- Sohan Ginning and Processing Non-public Restricted
- Shiv Shakti Ginning and Urgent Manufacturing facility
- S. Ram Company
- Maa Manikeswari Enterprises
- Hanumant Oil Industries
- C Okay Industries
- Balaji Cottex
- Bhalala Industries Restricted
- Farmer Sutra
- Maa Samleswari Cotton Industries
- White Gold Cotton Merchants
- Sq. Company
- Sheel Fiber
- Shree Samleshwari Cotton Industries
Within the subsequent article, we are going to proceed to revile all different frauds dedicated by IDFL and Mr. Rahul Bhajekar (Managing Director, GOTS).
