EXPOSED: The Truth Behind Organic Cotton and Key Players Revealed

January 25, 2025 at 03:53 AM EST

In a startling revelation, our investigation has exposed a significant fraud within the organic cotton industry that has been thriving for the past three years. Despite multiple complaints filed with the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS), Textile Exchange, and the Accreditation Board (ANAB), no substantial action has been taken against the key figures involved, including Mr. Ravi Bansal and Mr. Ankeet Patel, who are allegedly collaborating with Mr. Sudarshan Matimuthu, Mr. Sandeep Vishvakarma of IDFL to perpetrate the organic cotton scam.

Our sources confirm that evidence of organic cotton fraud was submitted to GOTS and Textile Exchange on November 30th. On mail and Textile Exchange complain portal. However, it appears that GOTS and Textile Exchange have indirectly supported IDFL in continuing these fraudulent activities.

It is believed that Mr. Rahul Bhajekar, Managing Director of GOTS, and Mr. Biko Nagara, Assurance Director of Textile Exchange, have been bribed by Mr. James Moore (IDFL) to turn a blind eye to the fraud. Reports suggest that Mr. Ravi Bansal provided bribes to IDFL staff, including Mr. James Moore, who in turn allegedly bribed Mr. Rahul Bhajekar to prevent any action against IDFL.

In an unexpected move, GOTS and Textile Exchange have suspended the accreditation of Intertek—India’s leading certification body, holding over 50% market share—without conducting any investigation. This suspension has directly impacted Intertek’s clients, creating a supply-demand gap that benefits Mr. Ravi Bansal and Mr. Ankeet Patel from IDFL, enabling them to sell counterfeit organic cotton to buyers.

It is important to note that, in the history of GOTS, no other certification body has been directly suspended. Typically, complaints are investigated thoroughly before any action is taken, but in Intertek's case, GOTS acted swiftly and without due process. This decision seems to have been strategically timed to disrupt the business of Intertek’s customers, further benefiting Mr. Ravi Bansal and Mr. Ankeet Patel by allowing them to supply fake organic cotton through their network, involving IDFL, GOTS, and Textile Exchange.

This operation is part of a carefully orchestrated plan by IDFL and its affiliates, with significant support from GOTS and Textile Exchange. Major brands like Inditex, H&M, and C&A are paying substantial fees to GOTS and Textile Exchange for their memberships, while simultaneously selling counterfeit organic cotton products to consumers who pay a premium for so-called "organic" goods—only to be deceived.

Our investigation reveals that this is a well-established ecosystem of organic cotton fraud, where every stakeholder, except the consumers, is benefiting financially. Despite numerous attempts over the past three years to stop this scam, our efforts have been thwarted, as GOTS and Textile Exchange appear uninterested in taking decisive action. Over 50 pieces of evidence detailing the fraud have been submitted to Rahul Bhajekar & Textile Exchange, yet these perpetrators continue to sell fake organic cotton openly, with no serious repercussions from GOTS or Textile Exchange.

As a responsible media outlet, we are committed to exposing this scam and raising awareness among consumers. We urge consumers to stop purchasing organic products from these brands and to boycott products labeled with misleading greenwashing logos such as GOTS and OCS. The entire organic cotton certification system, including ginners, traders, certification bodies, accreditation bodies, brands, and standard-setting organizations, is deeply compromised. It is time to root out these fraudsters, and if GOTS and Textile Exchange refuse to take action, we believe it is our duty to inform consumers about the true nature of the products they are buying at a premium.

We call on consumers to reject organic products bearing GOTS and OCS logos, which are currently supporting the fake organic cotton supply chain.

The People Involved:

Mr. Ravi Bansal: Owner Farmers United House, allegedly involved in organic cotton fraud and give bribe to Mr. Sudarshan & Mr. Sandeep of IDFL.
Mr. Ankeet Patel: Owner Uma Exports, allegedly involved in organic cotton fraud and give bribe to Mr. Sudarshan & Mr. Sandeep of IDFL..
Mr. Sudarshan Matimuthu: IDFL employee allegedly complicit in organic cotton fraud and creating fake input organic TC.
Mr. Sandip Vishwakarma: IDFL employee, creating fake input TC and doubling of stock.
Mr. Rahul Bhajekar: Managing Director of GOTS, allegedly bribed by Mr. James Moore for not taking any action against IDFL
Mr. Biko Nagara: Assurance Director of Textile Exchange, allegedly bribed by Mr. James Moore for not taking any action and investigation against IDFL.
Mr. Hong Lee: Standard Quality Assurance Senoir Manager of Textile Exchange, allegedly bribed by Mr. James Moore for not taking any action and investigation against IDFL.
Mr. James Moore: CEO of IDFL Asia, who in turn allegedly bribed Mr. Rahul Bhajekar & Hong Lee to prevent any action against IDFL.

The Brands Involved:

Inditex (Industria de Diseño Textil, S.A.)
H&M (Hennes & Mauritz)
C&A
Carrefour
Walmart
Bestseller
SuperDry

The Certification Bodies Involved:

IDFL
Bureau Veritas

The Suppliers Involved:

Amiha Agro Private Ltd
Spectrum Cottfibers LLP
Farmers United House
Om Organic Cotton Pvt Ltd
Beriwali Agriable LLP
Organic Way
Udanti Farmers
Square Organics
Sohan Ginning and Processing Private Limited
Shiv Shakti Ginning and Pressing Factory
S. Ram Corporation
Maa Manikeswari Enterprises
Hanumant Oil Industries
C K Industries
Balaji Cottex
Bhalala Industries Limited
Farmer Sutra
Maa Samleswari Cotton Industries
White Gold Cotton Traders
Square Corporation
Sheel Fiber
Shree Samleshwari Cotton Industries

In the next article, we will continue to revile all other frauds committed by IDFL and Mr. Rahul Bhajekar (Managing Director, GOTS).

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EXPOSED: The Truth Behind Organic Cotton and Key Players Revealed

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