Mumbai: Mumbai Police have arrested Mahesh Pandey, an eminent scriptwriter and director of Indian television industry, on charges of cheating and breach of trust.
Pandey, best known for his work on the iconic television show ‘Kasautii Zindagi Kay’, allegedly cheated film producer Jatin Sethi of Rs 2.65 crore and also violated an agreement with his company.
‘Kasautii Zindagi Kay’ ran from October 2001 to February 2008, with more than 1,400 episodes being aired.
Pandey was arrested on August 5 following a complaint lodged by Sethi at Amboli police station.
He was then produced before the court which sent him to judicial custody. A lookout notice has been issued against Pandey’s wife, who is also an accused in the case.
“At the behest of my client, an FIR bearing number 0487/2024 was registered by Amboli Police station against Mr Mahesh Premchand Pandey, his wife Mrs Madhu Mahesh Pandey and other family members, under Sections 406 and 420 r/w 34 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 for committing the acts of cheating my client, Mr Jatin Sethi of an amount of Rs 2,65,00,000 (Rupees two crore sixty five lakh),” said Sethi’s advocate Rizwan Siddiquee.
“That accordingly as the matter progressed and there was non-co-operation therefore, Mr Mahesh Premchand Pandey was arrested by Amboli Police Station on 5.8.2024. He is currently in judicial custody,” he added.
Pandey, who was previously accused of non-payment by some actors from his shows, delayed payment to Sethi citing various reasons and also created a fake email ID.
