CBI registers FIR against Shreyas Talpade-Alok Nath in fraud case
What's the story
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a First Information Report (FIR) against 46 individuals, including actors Alok Nath and Shreyas Talpade. The move follows a September order by the Uttarakhand High Court directing CBI to probe a multi-crore cooperative society fraud case, reported Hindustan Times. The accused are linked to the Loni Urban Multi-State Credit & Thrift Co-operative Society (LUCC), which allegedly defrauded investors. Reacting to this development, Nath told HT that the FIR is "baseless and false."
Accusations
Key accused and charges in the case
Mumbai resident Sameer Aggarwal is named as the main accused, along with local agents of LUCC such as Urmila Bisht, Girish Chand Singh Bisht, Jagmohan Bisht, and Anita Negi from Dehradun. The FIR was filed under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including cheating, criminal breach of trust, criminal intimidation, and criminal conspiracy. It also invokes provisions from the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), Uttar Pradesh Industrial Disputes Act, and Banning of Unregulated Deposit Schemes Act.
Fraud details
LUCC's fraudulent activities and impact on victims
LUCC allegedly duped numerous individuals in Uttarakhand by enticing them to invest with promises of high returns. The society, through its 35 branches and local agents, invited public deposits with attractive returns and commissions. Most victims were unemployed, homemakers, or retired people who were persuaded to deposit their savings and recruit others to invest more money. This led to investments worth several crores of rupees, but the society failed to repay upon maturity and abruptly closed its offices.
Legal proceedings
Multiple FIRs and arrests in the case
The first FIR was filed at Kotdwar police station back in June 2024 based on a complaint by Pauri Garhwal resident Tripti Negi. Since then, 18 FIRs have been registered against LUCC office bearers and agents across several districts, including Haridwar, Pauri Garhwal, Tehri Garhwal, Dehradun, Uttarkashi, and Rudraprayag. At least a dozen people have been arrested so far.
Investigation transfer
CBI took over the case following High Court's direction
In March, Rishikesh resident Ashutosh Negi filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Uttarakhand High Court, seeking action over the alleged fraud. The state government approved transferring the case to the CBI in July. Another PIL was submitted by Dehradun resident Vishal Chhetri and others, raising similar allegations. The two PILs were clubbed together, and the court directed CBI to take up the matter in September.