Kanpur | December 2025
The Kanpur Police has summoned professional wrestler The Great Khali and Bollywood actor Sonu Sood for questioning in connection with a massive ₹1,500-crore investment fraud allegedly masterminded by self-styled businessman Ravindranath Soni.
Police officials said the move follows complaints by hundreds of victims who claim that the presence and endorsement of well-known public figures helped Soni gain credibility and lure investors into fraudulent schemes.
Police to Question Celebrities Over Alleged Role in Promotions
Kanpur Commissioner of Police Raghubir Lal confirmed that legal notices have been served to both Khali and Sonu Sood.
“Several complainants have alleged that the accused used photographs, videos, and public appearances with celebrities to build trust among investors. The questioning is necessary to clarify the nature of these associations,” the Commissioner said.
Officials stressed that the questioning is part of the fact-finding exercise and does not automatically imply guilt.
Victims Say Celebrity Presence Built Trust
According to investigators, investors were drawn to Soni’s companies after seeing promotional material featuring Khali and Sonu Sood alongside the accused. These visuals were allegedly circulated during investor meetings and online promotions to portray Soni as a credible and well-connected entrepreneur.
The primary entity under scrutiny is Bluechip Commercial Broker, which promised investors unusually high returns.
So far:
- Over 700 victims have surfaced
- 15 formal FIR-based complaints have been registered in Kanpur
- Several complaints have also been received via email and written submissions
A senior police officer said many investors continued to believe in the scheme precisely because of its association with familiar public faces.
Global Scale of the Scam, Dubai Hub Exposed
The fraud is not limited to India. Police say:
- Around 90% of victims are Indian nationals
- Nearly 10% are foreign citizens, including people from Nepal, Vietnam, China, Japan, the US and France
Investigators found that Soni hosted lavish investor events at luxury hotels in Dubai, presenting himself as an international financier. He reportedly operated offices near Burj Khalifa to project legitimacy.
According to police, Soni fled Dubai before his arrest. During interrogation, he claimed he escaped via the Oman desert route in August, eventually returning to India.
16 Fake Companies Identified; SIT Formed
The Kanpur Police has so far identified 16 companies allegedly floated or controlled by Soni and his associates. These include:
- Bluechip Commercial Broker
- Bluechip Freehold Real Estate Brokers
- Bluechip Financial Market Limited Branch
- Wall Street Investment LLC
- Bluechip Investment LLC
Given the scale of the fraud, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) has been constituted under ADCP Crime Anjali Vishwakarma, with six officers assigned to:
- Track domestic and international money trails
- Examine cryptocurrency transactions
- Probe offshore investments and shell entities
Fugitive Associates and Interpol Link
Police are also searching for several key associates, including Gurmeet, Hitesh, Dharvesh, Abhishek Singhal, Surendra Madhukrao Dudhwadkar and Ritu Parihar.
One close aide, Surendranath Das, is already sought internationally, with an Interpol warrant issued in connection with similar financial crimes.
Another individual, George, a Kerala native described as Soni’s closest adviser, is believed to hold critical passwords and digital records linked to the global scam network.
Personal Finances and Family Assets Under Scrutiny
Investigators have expanded the probe to Soni’s personal financial dealings. Police say:
- Soni divorced his first wife, Swati, and later married Himani, a bar performer
- He allegedly hosted a luxury five-star event in Dubai to celebrate his daughter’s birth
- Despite claims of marital separation, crores of rupees were transferred to accounts linked to his first wife and relatives
Multiple properties held in their names are now under scrutiny as possible proceeds of crime.
