Mumbai — The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police recently exposed a complex share fraud case involving close relatives of well-known real estate builder Akhtar Rizvi. Six individuals were booked on Saturday for their alleged role in a ₹68 crore fraud, involving forged documents and a fraudulent gift deed, according to police reports. Akhtar Rizvi, now aged 83 and founder of M/s. Rizvi Estate and Hotels Pvt. Ltd., had approached the EOW earlier, claiming a significant portion of his shares in the company had been transferred without his knowledge. The revelation has sent ripples through Mumbai’s business circles, raising concerns about corporate governance and oversight.
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A Tale of Forgery and Deception
The EOW’s inquiry revealed a disturbing pattern of document forgery. Investigators detailed how fraudulent gift deeds and forged paperwork were used to execute the illegal transfer of shares. These transactions allegedly bypassed established legal channels, exploiting loopholes in the system. The Bandra police registered the First Information Report (FIR) under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC): sections 465, 467, 468, and 471 relating to forgery; section 420 for cheating; section 120(B) for criminal conspiracy; and section 34 for common intention. Despite the gravity of the charges, authorities confirmed that no arrests had yet been made.
Industry Experts Weigh In
Corporate governance analysts warn that such incidents reflect not merely individual malfeasance but structural vulnerabilities within India’s corporate regulatory framework. “The use of forged documents in high-value share transfers exposes a glaring lack of real-time verification mechanisms,” said a Mumbai-based corporate lawyer who requested anonymity.
Experts further highlight that while older real estate businesses are under increased scrutiny, familial ties and legacy influence often obscure transparency in ownership structures. The involvement of close relatives raises questions about potential insider collusion, complicating efforts to untangle the web of deception.
A Broader Reflection of Financial Crime Trends
This case underscores a growing pattern of financial frauds exploiting legal gray areas in corporate India. Share frauds have increasingly become a vehicle for siphoning off assets, especially in family-run businesses where regulatory oversight is often weaker.
As the EOW continues its investigation, the focus remains on tracing the digital and physical paper trails of the suspects. Legal experts suggest that if proven guilty, the accused could face substantial prison sentences and financial penalties, while the affected company might have to engage in extensive restitution proceedings. For now, the Rizvi case stands as a stark reminder of the fragile intersection between legacy wealth and modern financial crime. How regulators and law enforcement respond in the coming months could determine whether this becomes a landmark in curbing corporate fraud or another story of systemic failure.