Nitin Manmohan, producer of Bollywood film Gali Gali Chor Hai will soon be summoned for questioning after co-producer Prakash Chandnani came under police lens for his alleged role in running a IPL betting racket that was busted recently, police said on Thursday.
Chandnani's name figured during the interrogation of an arrested bookie, Sonu, who revealed that he used to receive orders from the former, they said.
"Following these revelations, we have decided to summon Nitin Manmohan, the producer of Gali Gali Chor Hai. The producer will soon be called for questioning. We would like to know since when he knew Chandnani and (whether) had any idea of the latter's activities," a crime branch official said.
On May 17, police had arrested six bettors, including two top bookies, namely Sonu Malad alias Batiya and Deven Kothari alias Bhaiji, on the charge of pledging money on IPL cricket matches. Another bookie identified as Firoz Ansari was apprehended later.
According to police, Sonu and another bookie Ashish would directly call up Chandnani to get orders on accepting bets on IPL matches.
Investigators are also in the process of issuing a 'lookout' notice against Chandnani, who is currently believed to be in Dubai and is said to be working as the second-in-command to top bookie Sunil Abhuchandani alias Sunil Dubai.
Interestingly, social activist Anna Hazare was present at the special screening of the movie, which highlighted the issue of corruption.
The police are also investigating whether the betting money was used in producing the film that cast Akshaye Khanna, Shriya Saran and Mugdha Godse among others. The film was released in February.
"Since it is alleged that Chandnani was part of the betting syndicate and was also a film producer, we would surely investigate whether the betting money was pumped into the Bollywood films," the officer said.
Crime branch officials will also write to Income Tax department soon as they suspect that Sonu and Deven used to pay minimal tax by not showing their actual source of income and the duo had movable and immovable properties valuing crores of rupees.
"In the IT returns copy, Sonu mentioned that he was into automobiles business while Deven stated that he had leased his properties for commercial purposes and showed very less income. Thus they have paid very less tax. Sonu owns high-end cars whereas Deven has properties in Mumbai as well as Rajasthan," the officer said.
Once the IT department is stepped in, the actual number of the movable and immovable properties owned by the duo could be ascertained, he added. PTI VM NSK MGS 05242054 NNNN
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