Mumbai police file case against Quaid-i-Azam’s grandson over forgery allegations

Mumbai police have booked prominent businessman Nusli Nevil Wadia, grandson of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, along with members of his family, in a case involving alleged cheating, forgery, and use of fake documents in court.

The metropolitan magistrate court in Borivali directed Bangur Nagar Police to register a case against Nusli Wadia, his wife Maureen Wadia, sons Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia, as well as HJ Bamji, KF Bharucha, and RE Wandewala. 

The dispute traces back to a 30-year-old development agreement between Wadia and Ferrani Hotels, under which Ferrani Hotels, in partnership with K Raheja, was tasked with developing a plot in Malad and paying Wadia 12% of the gross sale proceeds.

Conflicts surfaced in 2008 over Wadia’s share and the project’s management, escalating into a prolonged legal battle that reached both the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court. The disputes involved claims of malice, unauthorised actions, and commercial disagreements.

The latest FIR, registered on Monday, includes charges of cheating, forgery, conspiracy, and use of forged documents under various sections of Indian law.

The complaint was filed by Mahendra Chande, CEO of Ferrani Hotels Private Limited and its group entities, who alleged that forged documents were presented in a commercial dispute before the Bombay High Court in 2010.

Chande stated that despite submitting complaints to Bangur Nagar police on March 15 and to the Mumbai Police Commissioner on March 24, no FIR was initially registered. It was only after the Borivali court’s directive on September 20 that the case was formally filed.

A Bangur Nagar police officer confirmed that the matter is under investigation, noting that the case involves a substantial number of documents which require careful scrutiny.