Mumbai: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has arrested Leena Sandeep Khandalkar (40), the wife of the main accused in a multi-crore motor car scam, from Mahim. The case was originally registered at the Wadala TT Police Station in 2022 and was later transferred to the EOW in December 2024. Leena had been absconding since the case was filed, while her husband, Sandeep Khandalkar, had already been arrested and sent to judicial custody.
The complaint was filed by Sachin Shantaram Sonawane, Manager of Saptashrungi Motors, who alleged that Sandeep and Leena Khandalkar defrauded his company of approximately ₹4.55 crore. According to the police, the accused conspired to misappropriate vehicles purchased under the company's name by submitting forged NOC documents with fake signatures to various automobile showrooms. The cars were then delivered to other individuals instead of the complainant.
Despite multiple attempts by the police to trace Leena and Sandeep Khandalkar at their known addresses and through their relatives, they remained untraceable. However, on April 17, Leena was finally arrested in Mahim. Incidentally, she also had a pending non-bailable warrant issued in a 2006 case under IPC Sections 406, 420, 120(B), and 34, registered at Kurar Police Station.
Following her arrest, police interrogated Leena regarding financial transactions and the forged documents used in the scam. However, she reportedly did not cooperate and refused to provide details about how or where the forged NOCs were created or who assisted her. Handwriting samples were also collected for verification against the fake documents submitted to Kamal Motors.
Police are currently examining her bank account details to determine the total amount of funds transferred to her in connection with the fraud. The EOW has stated that custodial interrogation is necessary: To identify how and where the forged NOC documents were created, to investigate her involvement in her husband’s financial dealings, to trace other co-accused and individuals who helped prepare the fake documents, to determine the total amount credited to her bank account from the fraudulent activities
The court has remanded Leena Khandalkar to police custody until April 23.
