Former India Cricketer Rajesh Chauhan Booked in Alleged ₹15 Lakh Cheating Case

Former India cricketer Rajesh Chauhan has been booked in an alleged cheating case after a court directed police to register an FIR over accusations that he duped a man of more than ₹15 lakh by promising him a transport contract with a steel company.

The FIR was registered on Friday at Mohan Nagar Police Station under Section 316(2) (criminal breach of trust) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita (BNS), following the directions of a local court.

Confirming the development, Station House Officer Keshav Kosale said, "The matter is under investigation. Further action will be taken based on the findings."

The complaint was filed by Dinkar Vishwamitra, who alleged that Chauhan introduced himself as a former international cricketer with strong business connections and claimed that his company, Govind Transport Company, had secured a transportation contract from Jindal Steel in Odisha's Keonjhar district.

According to the complaint, Chauhan assured Vishwamitra of attractive profits and convinced him to become a partner in the transport venture by investing money and arranging trucks. To support his claims, Chauhan allegedly produced documents showing that Govind Transport Company had been awarded the contract.

Trusting the documents, Vishwamitra entered into an agreement with Chauhan on July 30, 2021, and initially paid ₹2.51 lakh by cheque. He later transferred another ₹15.01 lakh in two instalments to the company's bank account for the proposed business.

However, the complainant alleged that Chauhan later stopped responding to his queries. On approaching Jindal Steel, Vishwamitra claimed he discovered that neither Chauhan nor Govind Transport Company had ever been awarded such a contract. He further alleged that the work order shown to him was forged.

After his complaints to Mohan Nagar Police and the Durg Superintendent of Police reportedly failed to result in an FIR, Vishwamitra moved the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC) court under Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).

In an order dated July 16, JMFC Aishwarya Diwan directed Mohan Nagar Police to investigate the matter and submit a final report before the court. The court observed that the material placed on record indicated the commission of a cognisable offence and noted that no action had been taken despite earlier complaints.

The order further stated that there was prima facie material suggesting that Chauhan had dishonestly obtained money from the complainant, making a police investigation necessary.

Chauhan, however, has denied any criminal wrongdoing and previously described the matter as a business dispute.

"Some money of the complainant has already been returned, while repayment of the remaining amount has been delayed due to personal circumstances," Chauhan had earlier told PTI.