Troubles deepen for this well-known actress and her husband, FIR registered in ₹11.5 crore fraud case

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): Bhojpuri film industry actress Akanksha Awasthi and her husband have landed in serious trouble after an FIR was registered over an alleged ₹11.5 crore fraud. The case has been filed at Pantnagar Police Station in Mumbai, where police have registered offences under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code and begun an investigation.

The complainant, Hitesh Kantilal Ajmera, who is associated with the customs clearance business, alleged that Akanksha Awasthi, her husband Vivek Kumar alias Abhishek Kumar Singh Chauhan, and their associates cheated him by promising strong film industry connections and high financial returns.

According to the complaint, the accused projected themselves as influential figures in the film industry. Actress Akanksha claimed ownership of a film studio named “AKS Pathshala Entertainment” located in Andheri (West), stating that Bhojpuri film shoots and training of new artists were conducted there. She allegedly promised studio ownership benefits, fame, and even mentioned a ₹200 crore interest-free loan to gain the victim’s trust.

The actress’s husband, Vivek Kumar, reportedly told the complainant that ₹300 crore in cash was stuck in a warehouse in Bettiah, West Champaran (Bihar). He claimed the money could not be withdrawn due to legal hurdles and sought investment to release it, assuring a return of ₹200 crore within four days without interest. The actress herself allegedly supported and endorsed these claims.

Police records state that between March and July 2024, the complainant transferred a total of ₹11.5 crore to various bank accounts linked to the accused. To strengthen trust, he was taken to Patna and shown documents related to the alleged warehouse, with plans also made to visit Bettiah. On 5 July 2024, while travelling to Bettiah, Vivek Kumar reportedly stepped out of the car on the pretext of buying sweets and disappeared, after which his phone was switched off. The accused continued to make excuses for a few days before completely cutting off contact.

The complainant said that due to severe financial loss and mental stress, his health deteriorated, causing a delay in filing the complaint. The FIR was finally registered on 28 January. Police are now examining bank transactions, the claimed studio, submitted documents, and the exact role of each accused. The investigation has been transferred to the Economic Offences Wing.