Lawyer duped of ₹15.70 lakh on pretext of water supply contract for cricket matches

The police also said that the accused has been identified as Vijay Barhate was earlier arrested by the Mumbai crime branch in 2017 when he cheated aspiring cricketers by promising them slots in the IPL franchise and taking money from them

MUMBAI: A man has been booked for allegedly duping a lawyer to the tune of ₹15.70 lakh by promising him a contract to supply mineral water to city stadiums during cricket matches.

Lawyer duped of ₹15.70 lakh on pretext of water supply contract for cricket matches

The accused has been identified as Vijay Barhate, a resident of Bhusawal, who once ran a firm—R N Sports Club.

According to the Azad Maidan police, the accused showed his photographs with various cricketers to impress upon the complainant, Surendra Sonawane, a Dombivli resident, and even offered to make him a partner.

Barhate initially told the lawyer that he will get him the water contract during cricket matches and took ₹15.7 lakh from him.

“The accused later told the lawyer that he wanted to open an office in Dubai as the Sri Lanka Premier League was around and even told him that he will make him a partner in Hellenic Cricket matches held in Greece,” the police said.

However, soon the complainant sensed foul play and approached the police. A case of cheating and criminal breach of trust was registered against the accused on Tuesday. The police are yet to make an arrest in the matter.

The police also said that Barhate was earlier arrested by the Mumbai crime branch in 2017 when he cheated aspiring cricketers by promising them slots in the IPL franchise and taking money from them.

He had partnered with Sunrisers Hyderabad for talent hunt, but soon his contract was terminated by the team, according to a police officer. He, however, continued to use his brief association with the team and old documents like letterheads, photos and certificates to cheat people, the officer added.

Neeraj Kumar, former Delhi commissioner of police and once the anti-corruption head of the Board of Control for Cricket in India, who busted money-churning private leagues had in his book called Barhate the “Natwarlal of Indian Cricket” as he was called to various functions of the IPL franchises, a police officer said.