MUMBAI: The arrest of a reality television figure at Mumbai airport has pulled a long-running real estate dispute into public view, drawing scrutiny to allegations of forged documents, mortgaged properties and a multi-crore transaction that unraveled only after a bank moved to seize the assets involved.
A Detention at the Airport
Jay Dudhhane, a familiar face to audiences of Marathi and Hindi reality television, was taken into custody at Mumbai’s international airport over the weekend in connection with an alleged real estate fraud, police officials said on Sunday. The arrest was carried out as Dudhhane was at the airport on Saturday, according to investigators, marking a sharp turn for a public figure whose career had largely unfolded in the realm of entertainment.
Senior police inspector Pravin Mane confirmed that Dudhhane, who is also known as a fitness trainer and model, was detained following the registration of a criminal case. The action followed weeks of inquiry after a complaint raised questions about a commercial property deal in Thane, on the outskirts of Mumbai.
The Complaint Behind the Case
The case stems from a First Information Report filed by a retired engineer, who alleged that Dudhhane and four members of his family induced him to invest in five commercial shops in Thane. According to the complaint, the investor was persuaded to pay ₹4.61 crore for the properties, which were presented as free of encumbrances.
Investigators say the properties were, in fact, already mortgaged to a bank at the time of the transaction. The complainant has alleged that he was unaware of this arrangement when the deal was struck, and that the true status of the properties was concealed from him during negotiations.
Allegations of Forgery and Fabrication
According to police records cited in the complaint, Dudhhane allegedly submitted forged documents to reassure the buyer, including what investigators describe as a fabricated bank clearance certificate. A counterfeit demand draft, amounting to ₹4.95 crore, was also cited as part of the alleged deception.
The matter came to light only after the bank issued a formal notice indicating its intent to seize the mortgaged properties, alerting the buyer that the assets were under lien. It was at this stage, police said, that the complainant approached authorities, prompting a formal criminal investigation.
Fame, Family and an Ongoing Investigation
Police have registered a case against Dudhhane and his relatives under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, citing offences related to cheating and forgery. Investigators said further inquiry is underway to determine the roles of the accused family members and to verify the authenticity of the documents involved.
