Actor Vivek Oberoi files complaint with Mumbai police after business partners defraud him of Rs 1.54 crore

The actor and his wife Priyanka formed Oberoi Organic LLP, which is into producing, buying and selling organic products, in April 2017. But after three years, they were contemplating shutting down the company as there was less demand for organic products in the market.

During this time, the actor reportedly came into contact with Sanjay, who was into organising events and producing films. Seeing his experience in the event and film industries, Oberoi partnered with him for the business of organising events in the film industry.

In February 2020, Oberoi and Sanjay met at a five-star hotel in Andheri to discuss the business deal and mutually agreed on the terms.

According to the police complaint, as per their mutual understanding and agreements, between July and September 2020, the business purpose for Oberoi Organic LLP and its name were changed and converted into Anandita Entertainment LLP, which would organise events in the film industry and produce films.

Sanjay and his mother’s name were also added as partners in Anandita Entertainment LLP. The name of one Radhika, who is known to Sanjay, was added as a partner in the firm, and the actor’s wife’s name, Priyanka, was made to resign.

After six months, the actor exited as one of the partners of Anandita Entertainment LLP and replaced his share (33.33%) and position with his firm Oberoi Mega Entertainment LLP, the police said

Till November 2021, the actor invested Rs 95.72 lakh in Anandita Entertainment LLP.

In February 2021, Shah and Oberoi decided to produce the film ‘Ganshe’ and actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui was signed for it and was paid Rs 51 lakh for the same by Oberoi. The director and writer were also hired and paid. Oberoi and Sanjay were in talks with Zee5’s OTT platform for broadcasting the film, the police complaint stated.

In early 2022, while seeing his investment details, Oberoi observed that Sanjay had misused funds. When the actor spoke to the manager of the firm, she also corroborated the same. The actor put his CA to work and learnt that Sanjay, Nandita, and Radhika allegedly misused the firm’s funds worth Rs 58.56 lakh for personal expenses such as paying for insurance, buying jewellery, drawing salary, etc., says the FIR.

Later, Oberoi discovered that Sanjay had formed another firm, Anandita Studios Pvt. Ltd., and lied to the officers in Zee5 by saying that his firm, Anandita Studios Pvt. Ltd., was producing the film ‘Ganshe’. After this, the actor told Nawazuddin Siddiqui about the fraud, following which Siddiqui returned Rs 51 lakh to Oberoi.

The police complaint also alleged that Sanjay and the other accused allegedly pocketed the money worth Rs 60 lakh that the actor and their company got as payment for Oberoi’s guest appearances in various events and programmes.

Following this, Oberoi decided to file a police complaint.

On a complaint by Oberoi’s representative, the MIDC police booked Sanjay, his mother Nandita and Radhika under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code, said an officer.