Mumbai: Actress Caught for Cheating Splurged on Luxury Cars, Watches

June 3, 2015

Mumbai, Jun 3: A small-time actress and her boyfriend have been arrested for cheating more than 1,000 people of crores of rupees to quench their thirst to live the high life.

Leena Maria PaulThe Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Crime Branch has found that the couple bought nine luxury cars, 117 imported watches, a sports bike, 12 cellphones and several other items with the money that people gave them for their 'investment' company.

Police arrested actress Leena Maria Paul (26) and her live-in partner Shekar Chandrashekar (25), along with four others Adil Jaipuri (24), Akhtar Jaipuri (55), Salman Rizvi (28) and Nasir Jaipuri (50). Paul has worked with Mohanlal in the 2009 film Red Chillies, and John Abraham in Madras Cafe.

The EOW officers said they got a tip-off that Chandrashekar, identified as the mastermind, was running a double investment scam in Goregaon and lived a posh lifestyle with the money.

"Based on this information, we raided Chandrashekar's office and learnt that he was running a company called Lion Oak India and was illegally accepting cash deposits, for which he had started bogus schemes such as Lucky Number 05, Special Harvest Week, Super Harvest Plus, and Weekly New Year Bonanza," said Dhananjay Kamlakar, joint commissioner of police, EOW.

The scam

The accused would promise people extravagant returns on sums they invested 20 per cent on a monthly basis, and 300 per cent in three months. They would then splurge on luxury products using the hard-earned money of investors. Police have recovered nine luxury cars including brands like Bentley, Audi, Mercedes, Maserati, Nissan - 117 imported watches, mobile phones, and a sports bike.

"The accused also purchased a Honda sports bike worth Rs. 23 lakh.

We have found around 117 imported high-end watches and 12 mobile phones from brands like Vertu with Chandrashekar. He was paying around Rs. 75,000 as rent for house in Imperial Heights, Goregoan," said Kamlakar. Police have learnt that Paul was in a live-in relationship with Chandrashekar and the couple had landed in the police's net in Chennai for cheating Canara Bank in 2013.

Chandrashekar had posed as an IAS officer and obtained a loan of Rs. 19 crore from the bank. "They did not have any permissions to start the company and Chandrashekar had been arrested by the Chennai police earlier for posing as an IAS officer and cheating the bank. Yet, around 1,000 people invested with them. They have cheated these people to the tune of R10 crore," added Kamlakar.

"They would only accept cash. When people came to them on the due date (of the scheme) to collect their money, they used to convince them to re-invest and promised good returns. They also signed agreements with investors to gain their confidence," said DCP Pravin Padwal from the EOW.

Several doctors in the city have fallen prey to the schemes. Advocate Adnan Shaikh said three doctors had approached him till date. Dr Mursalin Sheikh, a general physician, told mid-day, "After putting in R10 lakh, I was told we had to keep on investing or the scheme would be stopped. I gave around Rs. 25 lakh.

They had promised us gifts like watches, cars and cellphones. We didn't get anything." Dr Sheikh realised he'd been taken for a ride when the mobile phones of the accused were switched off one day and their office was locked. The accused have been booked for cheating and criminal conspiracy, and under relevant sections of the Prize Chits and Money Circulation Schemes (Banning) Act, 1978.

I've been cheated of Rs. 2.5 crore: Rakhi Sawant

Among the victims of the investment scam is actress Rakhi Sawant. Sawant said, "I had invested around Rs. 2.5 crore.

He (Shekar) approached us from time to time and requested us to invest money. I saw his fancy lifestyle and thought he was a big financier. This comes as a shock. I had hoped to get my money back," she said.

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News Network
March 26,2020

Mumbai, Mar 25: Filmmakers and actors, including Karan Johar, Taapsee Pannu and Ayushmann Khurrana, have pledged their support to a new initiative aimed at supporting the daily wage-earners who have been severely affected by the lockdown imposed to combat coronavirus.
The country is witnessing a 21-day lockdown, as announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, to contain the spread of the virus, which has claimed the lives of over 20,000 people globally.

The initiative, I Stand With Humanity, started by organisations -- the International Association for Human Values, the Art of Living Foundation and the Indian Film and TV Industry, will provide families of daily wage workers with 10 days of essential food supplies.

"I pledge to contribute and support this initiative! This is a situation that needs all our help, love, care and support," Karan posted on Twitter.

Taapsee said everyone must come forward to help the daily wage workers.

"This one for the daily wage workers. Because we need to do our bit for the ones who work with/for us. If not corona, lack of basic food might take them down. Let's help them to get through this," the actor wrote.

Ayushmann described the initiative as "truly noble".

"I vow to support this and contribute. India and Indians are under threat and each one of us have the power to make a difference. Let's support and care for each other as much as we can in this time of crisis. #Istandwithhumanity," he tweeted.

Kiara Advani and Rakul Preet Singh also pledged to contribute towards the initiative.

"Let's contribute! While some of us are safe at home, we can help those struggling right now... donate," Kiara said.

Rakul tweeted, "I support this noble initiative. Happy to contribute for this humanitarian cause. While staying safe at home, I urge every one else also to contribute online."

Actor Varun Sharma said, "I pledge to contribute & support this initiative #iStandWithHumanity"

"In times like these, we need to step up for the ones in need. I'm happy to contribute for this humanitarian cause. And guys whoever can help, you all can also contribute online," actor Sidharth Malhotra tweeted.

Filmmaker Nitesh Tiwari wrote, "There are a lot of daily wage earners who need our help during this tough time. Please help as much as you can. Here's the link to contribute online."

Actor Bhumi Pednekar said it was important to get together and help those who are "vulnerable and in need".

Actor Dia Mirza said, "We are in this together. YES we will help #DailyWageEarners get through this with hope and dignity. I am contributing to this effort and I hope many others in our fraternity will do as well."

Filmmakers Aanand L Rai and Sanjay Gupta have also backed the cause.

"One of the greatest gift a person can give another, is support. I whole heartily support this noble initiative. While staying safe at home, I urge every one else also to contribute online," Aanand tweeted.

Gupta called upon the public to help the daily wage-earners through the initiative.

On March 18, the Producers Guild of India had announced that they have set up a relief fund for daily wage-earners impacted by the shutdown of film, television and web productions amid coronavirus pandemic.

Their decision came after many filmmakers, including Sudhir Mishra, Vikramaditya Motwane and Anurag Kashyap, raised concerns over the impact of shutdown on the daily wage workers.

South star Pawan Kalyan announced on Twitter that he will donate Rs 1 crore to PM relief fund.

B N Tiwari, President of Federation of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE), however, claimed there has been no help from Bollywood personalities or the Producers Guild of India so far.

"In the South, Rajinikanth has donated Rs 50 lakh which is a great thing. But here, we haven't received any call or help from anyone from Bollywood yet."

"There is one production company called Frames that produces TV shows, they have given ration worth Rs 25 lakh but it is stuck at Navi Mumbai and we haven't been able to give that to workers as they can't come here. We are toying with the idea of taking help of police authorities to give the ration to the workers," Tiwari told news agency.

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News Network
March 21,2020

Mar 21: The novel coronavirus outbreak in the country may have brought the ever-bustling film industry to a halt but it hasn't stopped Bollywood celebrities from utilising their massive online influence to entertain their followers as well as engage them in fitness, dance and yoga routines.

According to the Health Ministry, the coronavirus cases in India rose to 258 on Saturday after 35 fresh cases were reported in various parts of the country.

As the government encourages more social distancing, people from the film fraternity are finding ways to connect to people and ensure their self-isolation isn't wasted.

On Sunday, actor Shilpa Shetty will hold a special live fitness session across digital platforms for people to follow from home.

"In times like these, it's important to stay fit, active, and healthy. Join me on Sunday, 22nd March at 4:00 pm IST as I go LIVE on Instagram-Facebook-Helo (@theshilpashetty) and on the @ShilpaShettyApp to show you some beneficial and helpful yoga asanas.

"You can watch, learn, and practice it from the comfort of your homes. Remember, staying indoors shouldn't be an excuse for deviating from your fitness routine," the actor wrote in an Instagram post.

Online yoga and fitness programs are picking up steam, with many celebrities pitching in.

On Saturday, actor Tamannah Bhatia went live with Diva Yoga, a studio part of a larger yoga ecosystem called SARVA, where she participated in a one-hour virtual yoga class, to encourage people to pursue their fitness goals.

Malaika Arora, co-founder of the yoga studio, told news agency that as the world fights a public health crisis, "we must do our best to stay calm and safe."

"There is also a need to boost our immunity levels even if it means continuing our workout from home. The live sessions being conducted on the Diva Studios Instagram handle and immunity boosting modules being shared on the SARVA app and website are aimed at this.

"Our instructors will offer guided lessons every day... for everyone’s benefit. I encourage people to join in and be responsible for your own health. When you are fit and healthy, you can help others in a better manner. It is these small steps that will lead to a better outcome," she said.

With everything coming to a standstill, choreographer Terence Lewis has also figured out an alternate avenue to reach out to his students: through online classes.

As of now, those who are not his students do not have the access to it, but Lewis said that's going to change soon.

"In few days, we will be starting online dance tutorials for people who have no access and means to be a part of our institute directly. Since, we do not have any branches, neither do I believe in having one, we directly teach from our original space in Andheri.

"Here we have instructors who have learnt from me and is the only legit institute we have hence, we'll think of doing the online classes as way of engaging with people who are far away from us," Lewis told PTI.

As shootings of movies, TV shows and web series stand suspended till March 31, casting director and actor Abhishek Banerjee is encouraging artistes to send self tapes from their homes.

"We are encouraging that to minimise human to human contact and audition spaces. Some actors are known to us, some unknown. It's very difficult to track anybody's health of you don't know the person. So it's easier to see the self tapes and keep shortlisting them and maybe we will call them again for a proper audition when everything is alright," he said.

The process of recording a self audition, according to the "Stree" actor, isn't easy.

"Full marks and respect for actors who are sending the self tapes because audition process takes a lot of efforts and to do that alone, without any help in isolation, without cues, it's commendable."

Banerjee, who runs Casting Bay, a leading casting studios, along with his friend Anmol Ahuja, said on an average, any big casting office had around 100-150 footfalls everyday, which has now come to a griding halt.

"The minute the government decided, we stopped all auditions too. Everything is on a standstill now. The production houses have asked us to hold on the auditions and projects. The major worry is that many actors will have date issues now. Once everything opens in April, let's see how to tackle that. It'll be a very difficult situation," he added.

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News Network
February 6,2020

Feb 6: The Income Tax Department on Thursday recovered Rs 65 crores from the residence of Tamil actor Joseph Vijay's financer in Chennai during raids which were carried out in the connection with an alleged tax evasion case linked to AGS Cinemas, said sources.

The department is conducting raids and surveys at Actor Vijay, Financer and Producer Anbu Chezhiyan residences.

Around 38 premises have been covered in the raid.

According to IT sources the counting of money is still on so there are chances that the amount will rise. Vijay's wife was at Chennai home when IT sleuths carried out a raid at his residence.

Speaking on the reports of the Actor being intervened during the shooting of the film, the income tax official said, "Actor Vijay was not picked up between his shooting as reported in some media reports."

The actor was shooting for his upcoming film "Master in Neyveli" when he received the news of the raid.

"Actor Vijay had cut short his shooting and returned to his home immediately after getting the news of raids, now the officials are ready to facilitate him to continue his shooting if he wishes to," sources from Income Tax told news agency.

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