The Mumbai Crime Branch has made a significant arrest in the ongoing ₹16.24 crore investment fraud case involving actor Javed Jaffrey's family. Devendra Padwal was apprehended from Malvan in Sindhudurg district and has been remanded to police custody for further investigation.
BMC Officer Mahesh Patil Remains Untraceable
Despite the recent arrest, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Assistant Commissioner Mahesh Patil, identified as a key suspect in the elaborate fraud, continues to evade authorities. A Look Out Circular (LOC) was issued against Patil approximately two weeks ago to prevent him from leaving the country, and police teams are actively working to trace his whereabouts.
How the Investment Fraud Unfolded
The case originated from a complaint filed by Habiba Jaffrey, wife of actor Javed Jaffrey. According to her statement, she encountered Mahesh Patil during visits to the BMC office. Patil allegedly introduced her to a purported lucrative investment opportunity in a Bandra redevelopment project, directing her to invest through Nishit Patel.
Investigators allege that forged government registration documents were presented as genuine to persuade Habiba, her husband Javed Jaffrey, and other family members, including Naved Jaffrey, to invest substantial sums in the project. The accused collected nearly ₹16.24 crore through various methods, including cheque payments, cash, foreign currency, and luxury watches, before allegedly defrauding the investors.
Arrests and Accusations
Prior to Padwal's arrest, Nishit Patel and Rupesh More were taken into custody and are currently under judicial remand. Police assert that More was responsible for preparing the forged documents critical to executing the scam. Devendra Padwal, who reportedly resided in the same building as Patel in Khar, is accused of creating a fake power of attorney in the name of a prominent developer, falsely claiming authority to make decisions and execute legal documents on the developer's behalf.
After realizing the deception, Habiba Jaffrey filed an FIR at Khar police station in May, which was subsequently transferred to the Crime Branch's Property Cell for a more comprehensive investigation. The FIR names Nishit Patel, Devendra Padwal, Rupesh More, Mahesh Patil, and others as involved in the fraud.