Mumbai: The VP Road Police have registered a criminal case against a couple, Abizar Tinwala and Fatima Tinwala, for allegedly cheating and misappropriating ₹1.05 crore taken as a loan from a Dubai-based businessman under the pretext of an urgent business transaction.
The complainant, Moiz Soyab Dholkawala (65), a Mumbai native and ship supplier by profession, stated to the police that in November 2020, he gave ₹1.05 crore in cash to Abizar and his wife for purchasing hardware from China. The complainant claimed that the transaction was based on personal trust and family ties, which had developed after he purchased a commercial property from Abizar in 2020.
According to the complaint, the accused initially promised to return the amount within two months but later started delaying repayment, citing business losses due to the COVID-19 pandemic. After repeated requests, Abizar issued seven cheques totaling ₹66.61 lakh. However, six of them bounced due to insufficient funds, while one was dishonoured due to a signature mismatch.
Following the cheque bounce incidents, Dholkawala filed a case in the Mazgaon Court under Section 138 of the Negotiable Instruments Act. Despite court proceedings, the accused allegedly continued to delay the matter by making excuses. The complainant further stated that Abizar issued the cheques intentionally, knowing that there were insufficient funds in his account, thereby defrauding him.
Based on the complaint, an FIR has now been registered at VP Road Police Station against the couple under Sections 34, 406, and 420 of the IPC for cheating and criminal breach of trust. Investigation into the matter is ongoing.
