Lucknow: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested Indrajeet Nattoji, the main accused in an alleged fraud involving more than ₹7 crore in the production of a documentary on Mahakumbh-2025. The EOW team apprehended him on October 6 from the Versova police station area in Andheri West, Mumbai. He was subsequently brought to Lucknow on transit remand.
The case was registered following a complaint by a media company alleging financial irregularities in the documentary project. The allegations include discrepancies in a multimillion-rupee production agreement, the disappearance of more than 50 terabytes of raw footage, allegedly fabricated bills and demands for additional payments. The EOW is now searching for the other accused named in the case.
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Documentary Project Contract Worth ₹6.52 Crore
The complaint was filed by Puneet Sikka, director of Delhi-based Indic Quotient Media Foundation. An FIR was registered at the State Special Investigation Team (SIT) police station on July 7, 2026, based on her complaint.
Apart from Indrajeet Nattoji, the case names Sumit Nagar, Mohit Mehra, Yogesh Tewatia and two companies, INK and Amcode Ventures LLP, as accused.
According to the FIR, the project involved producing a documentary titled Manthan: The Churning Mahakumbh, along with a series of short films on Mahakumbh-2025.
For this purpose, a co-production agreement worth ₹6,52,34,648 was signed with Nattoji’s company, INK, on January 2, 2025.
The complainant company has alleged that irregularities in the execution of the project and the associated financial transactions caused it losses exceeding ₹7 crore.
EOW Director General Jai Narayan Singh confirmed the arrest of the main accused and said efforts were underway to trace the other individuals named in the case.
Around 96 Terabytes of Footage Shot, but Only 40.23 Terabytes Supplied
One of the major allegations concerns the availability of raw footage recorded for the documentary.
According to the complaint, approximately 96 terabytes of video footage were shot for the Mahakumbh project. However, the complainant company allegedly received only 40.23 terabytes of footage, leaving more than 50 terabytes unaccounted for.
The complaint further alleges that an additional payment of ₹5 lakh, along with applicable GST, was demanded to provide the remaining footage.
Even after the payment was made, the footage was allegedly not handed over. The complainant also alleged that threats were issued that the footage would not be released unless the demanded amount was paid.
Raw footage is essential to documentary production because it forms the basis for editing and creating the final film. The alleged non-delivery of such a substantial volume of material has raised questions about the project’s execution, contractual obligations and financial management.
Investigators are examining the allegations and the records associated with the production to determine what happened to the missing footage.
Film Remained Incomplete Despite Shooting in Japan
The documentary project also involved a shooting schedule in Japan in April 2025.
Following the shoot, June 1, June 21 and July 10 were set as deadlines for preparing the first offline cut of the documentary. However, according to the complaint, the work was not completed by any of these dates.
The complainant company has claimed that more than 85 per cent of the project’s total cost had already been paid by that stage.
Despite the substantial payments, the documentary reportedly failed to progress according to the agreed schedule, resulting in financial losses for the company.
The investigation is examining the payments made, the work completed and the reasons the project allegedly failed to meet its deadlines.
Audit Raises Questions Over Post-Production and Footage Security
Following a letter issued by the Prayagraj Mela Authority on August 28, 2025, the complainant company commissioned an audit of the project.
According to the complaint, the audit conducted on September 1, 2025, found that post-production work on the documentary had not yet begun.
The audit also reportedly found that the raw footage was stored at VC Studios without a written agreement or adequate security arrangements governing its storage and protection.
These findings raised concerns about project supervision, the preservation of recorded material and compliance with the terms of the production agreement.
Subsequently, following an order from the Home Department, a case was registered at the State SIT police station. The accused were booked under various provisions relating to alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, intimidation, extortion and theft.
The allegations are now being examined as part of the ongoing investigation.
Alleged Fake Bills Worth ₹75 Lakh and Extortion of ₹20 Lakh
The complaint also alleges that handwritten bills exceeding ₹75 lakh were submitted for employees’ meals and catering during Mahakumbh.
According to the complainant, when questions were raised about the authenticity of these bills, threats were allegedly made to stop the shooting and delete the footage.
The complaint further alleges that approximately ₹20 lakh was sought through coercion and that additional amounts were demanded under the heads of shooting expenses and studio rentals.
Investigators are examining these allegations alongside payment records, invoices, contractual documents and other evidence relating to the documentary project.
EOW Continues Search for Other Accused
With Nattoji’s arrest, the investigation is focusing on the project’s financial transactions, the whereabouts of the missing footage and the alleged roles of the other accused.
The EOW is also attempting to establish whether the alleged financial irregularities and delays were connected and to determine how the funds allocated to the project were used.
The arrest marks a significant development in the case, but the allegations against the accused remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings. Their culpability will be determined through the legal process.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
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