Manish Trehan, the producer behind the popular web series Jamtara, has found himself at the center of a controversy involving allegations of a Rs 2.5 crore fraud. A businessman named Nihar has accused Manish of cheating him in a financial deal related to a film project. While Manish’s legal team denies the allegations, the case has grabbed headlines due to its high-profile nature.
The Meeting That Led to Trouble
In 2022, Manish and Nihar first crossed paths. During their meeting, Manish introduced himself as the director of Click on RM Private Limited and sought Rs 2 crore from Nihar to fund an upcoming film project. Manish promised to return the money with interest within a year, and Nihar, trusting him, transferred the funds through an online transaction.
The Alleged Fraud Unfolds
As per Nihar’s claims, he waited a full year for the repayment as agreed. When the time was up, Manish visited Nihar’s office along with an individual named Satwant Singh, whom he introduced as a senior executive from a leading OTT platform. Manish assured Nihar that the film was nearly complete, with only editing left, and requested an additional Rs 50 lakh, claiming that the film would soon be sold to the OTT platform.
Believing Manish once again, Nihar transferred the additional Rs 50 lakh on October 5, 2023. In exchange, Manish issued four post-dated cheques to Nihar, set to be encashed by March 31, 2024. However, when Nihar attempted to cash the cheques, they were rejected due to a stop-payment order issued by Manish.
Attempts to Contact and Legal Action
After the cheques bounced, Nihar tried multiple times to get in touch with Manish, only to find himself blocked by the producer. Frustrated and unable to resolve the matter, Nihar eventually filed a complaint with the police, accusing Manish of fraud.
Manish’s Team Responds to the Allegations
In response to the allegations, Manish’s legal team has denied the accusations, calling them baseless. They stated that a part of the loan had already been repaid to Nihar. According to them, Manish and his father returned Rs 1.6 crore in cash to Nihar, but the businessman allegedly continued to demand the remaining amount immediately. Manish’s lawyer claims that the FIR was filed only because of Nihar’s “illegal demands.”
The case is currently under investigation, and it remains to be seen how the legal proceedings will unfold for both parties involved.
