Marathi Actress Varsha Usgaonkar Among Several Duped of ₹47 Lakh; Builder-Producer Booked for Cheating

A case of alleged financial fraud involving nearly ₹47 lakh has come to light, with noted Marathi actress Varsha Usgaonkar and several others reportedly falling victim. The Shivaji Park Police have registered an FIR against builder and film producer Avinash Jadhav for allegedly luring investors with promises of high returns.

According to the complaint filed at Shivaji Park Police Station, Jadhav has been booked under Sections 420 (cheating) and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code.

As per police officials, the complainant, Mrinalini Subhash Jambhale, a Marathi theatre and film actress, had a professional acquaintance with the accused. Jadhav allegedly introduced himself as a film producer and builder and persuaded her to invest in a construction project in Dombivli, promising lucrative returns and repayment of the principal amount within one year.

Between November 2019 and February 2020, the complainant, along with actress Varsha Usgaonkar and three others, collectively invested ₹47 lakh through cheques and online transactions.

Initially, the accused reportedly returned ₹4.52 lakh as part of the promised returns. However, payments were subsequently stopped. When the complainant repeatedly attempted to contact him, Jadhav allegedly changed his mobile number and addresses to avoid communication.

The complaint further states that when the investors confronted him in Dombivli, he allegedly refused to repay the money and issued threats, saying, “I will not return the money. Do whatever you want.”

After realising they had been cheated, the complainant approached the Shivaji Park Police on February 26 and lodged a formal complaint. The investigation has been handed over to Assistant Police Inspector Shailesh Shejul, and further probe is underway.