India crime: Mumbai’s Shivaji Park Police on Thursday registered a First Information Report (FIR) against a man for allegedly duping actor Varsha Usgaonkar and four others of Rs 47 lakh collectively on the pretext of providing handsome returns on an investment scheme, they said. After one of the complainants approached the police, they carried out a probe and registered the FIR. 

Accused introduced himself as film producer-cum-builder

The complaint alleges that the accused, identified as Avinash Jadhav, had introduced himself to actor Usgaonkar and four other individuals as a film producer and a builder. He allegedly persuaded all the complainants to invest in a construction project in Dombivli, located in Thane district near Mumbai. 

Jadhav reportedly assured the investors of handsome returns, and also promised to repay the principal amount within a year. Between November 2019 and February 2020, Usgaonkar and four other individuals collectively invested Rs 47 lakh through online transfers and cheques.  Jadhav, as per reports, initially returned Rs 4.54 lakh, but failed to make subsequent payments over the course of time. 

Accused evades complainants, booked

When Usgaonkar and the other investors made repeated attempts to contact Jadhav, he allegedly changed his mobile number and residential addresses to evade communication. Upon realising that they had been deceived, one of the complainants, named Mrinalini Subhash Jambhale approached the Shivaji Park police and lodged a complaint against Jadhav. 

FIR registered, say cops

Shivaji Park police station officials said that they have booked Jadhav under the relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), pertaining to cheating and criminal intimidation, and further probe into the incident is underway. Usgaonkar is referred to as the “Wonder Girl” of Marathi cinema for her work in films such as Gammat Jammat and Brahmachari. She has also featured in several Hindi films and television series including Mahabharat.