The couple and other family friends and relatives invested approximately Rs 59 lakh between June 5, 2023, and November 2023. Bharadwaj initially provided fixed returns on the investment, but she later stopped making payments.

When the woman and her relatives demanded their money back, Bharadwaj issued them cheques, but they all bounced due to insufficient funds. The victim also alleged that the cheques bore different signatures.

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In the meantime, Bharadwaj returned about Rs 25 lakh to her victims but then stopped making any further payments. “When the woman victim pressured Bharadwaj to return the remaining amount, Bharadwaj arrogantly said she did not have the money and neither did she have a garment or supermarket business. She also threatened to falsely implicate them in a drug case if they continued to pressure her. The woman then approached Malad police and filed an FIR,” said an officer.

Based on the information, an FIR was registered against Bharadwaj on June 7, 2024, under various sections of the IPC. Under the guidance of deputy commissioner of police Anand Bhoite and senior police Inspector Ravindra Adhane, assistant police inspector Mahesh Mundhe led the investigation and apprehended Bharadwaj on Friday.

During the investigation, it was revealed that most of the money given by the complainant, her husband, and their friends was transferred to the account of Bharadwaj's fiancée, Isak Diwan, who reportedly runs an advertising company. The police have summoned Diwan for questioning, and if his involvement is confirmed, appropriate action will be taken, said another officer. Bharadwaj was arrested, produced before the court, and remanded to police custody, the officer said.

Rs 35 lakh

The sum owed by the accused to the couple

Quote

‘When the woman victim pressured Bharadwaj to return the remaining amount, Bharadwaj arrogantly said she did not have the money and neither did she have a garment or supermarket business'

A police officer, Malad police station