Dehradun: Aarushi Nishank, daughter of former Uttarakhand CM and ex-minister for human resource development in the Narendra Modi cabinet, Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank, was allegedly cheated of Rs 4 crore by two persons claiming to be film producers and promising her a role in a Bollywood movie. In her complaint registered at Kotwali police station in Dehradun, Aarushi said she was later replaced in the film, and the producers refused to return her money.

Aarushi, co-owner of Himshree Films, said Mansi Varun Bagla and Varun Pramod Kumar Bagla introduced themselves as directors of Mini Films Pvt Ltd and told her they were producing a Hindi film, ‘Aankhon Ki Gustakhiyan', starring Shanaya Kapoor and Vikrant Massey. "They offered me a significant role and promised fame and profit if I invested Rs 5 crore through my firm or an acquaintance," she said in her complaint.

An FIR has been filed against the accused have been booked under multiple BNS sections, including section 308(5) (extortion by putting someone in fear of death or grievous hurt), section 318(4) (cheating and fraud), section 336(3) (forgery with intent to cheat), section 338 (forgery of valuable documents), section 340(2) (using forged documents as genuine), section 351(3) (criminal intimidation by threatening death or grievous hurt), section 352 (intentional insult to provoke breach of peace), and section 61(2) (criminal conspiracy).

According to the FIR, an MoU was signed between Himshree Films and Mini Films Pvt Ltd on Oct 9, 2024. The next day, Aarushi transferred Rs 2 crore to the accused. She claimed she made additional payments in Oct and Nov 19, bringing the total amount to Rs 4 crore. The transactions included Rs 1 crore on Nov 11, Rs 25 lakh on Oct 27 and Rs 75 lakh on Oct 30.

Aarushi alleged that the producers assured her a 20% profit from the film, estimating total returns of over Rs. 15 crore. She was also promised the right to finalize her role's script, with a clause stating that if she was dissatisfied, her Rs 5 crore would be refunded with 15% annual interest.

On Feb 5, she learned that the film's shooting in India had been completed and another actress had been cast for her role, which was set to be filmed in Europe. She accused the producers of publishing a manipulated photograph on their company's official page, excluding her from an event she had attended. "This electronic forgery, categorized as a document, was used to defraud me and embezzle Rs 4 crore through a fraudulent MoU," the FIR quoted her as saying.

Aarushi also claimed that throughout this period, the producers intimidated her with threats of defamation and extortion. "They made derogatory comments about my Garhwali background and warned that if I pursued legal action, they would file false charges against me and my father, leading to severe consequences," she alleged.

Investigating officer SI Manmohan Singh Negi told TOI, "Based on her complaint, an FIR has been lodged at Kotwali police station in Dehradun. We will record her statement before proceeding further. It is too early to comment on the case at this stage."

Notably, in Dec, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had met the film's team, including actor Vikrant Massey, in Dehradun. Aarushi was also present at the event.