Malayalam film producer Johny Thomas detained in cheating case
What's the story
Johny Sagariga, a well-known Malayalam film producer also known as Johny Thomas, was taken into custody by the Coimbatore Police on Wednesday. This arrest came in the wake of a complaint filed against him for allegedly defrauding an NRI businessman of ₹2.75 crore. The City Crime Branch (CCB) of the Coimbatore City Police is overseeing the case. Thomas has reportedly produced noted South Indian films like Thaandavam (2002) and Bodyguard (2010).
Details of the fraud
Allegations of misappropriation of funds by film producer
Thomas stands accused of swindling Dwarak Uthayashankar, a businessman currently living in Canada. According to the complaint, Thomas utilized the funds, which totaled ₹2.75 crore, for the production of his film Nonsense, which was released in 2018. Uthayashankar reportedly conducted transactions with Thomas between 2016 and 2017 but only received ₹50 lakh when he requested a refund.
Details of the detention
Producer apprehended while attempting to exit country
Thomas was apprehended at the Nedumbassery airport on Tuesday, May 14, by the Bureau of Immigration (BoI) as he was trying to board an Air India flight to Dubai. This detention was a result of a lookout notice issued by the Coimbatore Police due to Thomas's failure to appear in response to several summons from the City Crime Branch. The Coimbatore Police had previously initiated a case against both Thomas and his son Ron in March.