The Mumbai Crime Branch has issued a lookout notice against suspended Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) assistant municipal commissioner Mahesh Patil in connection with an alleged Rs 16.24 crore cheating case involving actor Jaaved Jaaferi and his family.
Patil allegedly approached Jaaferi's wife Habiba Jaffrey at his BMC office in April 2024 during a routine tax matter and presented an investment opportunity in a Bandra West redevelopment project. According to investigators, UK-based businessman Nishit Patel—who has been arrested—made multiple visits to the Jaffrey family home with layouts and project documents, offering commercial space and promised returns on the redevelopment.
The documents were allegedly forged. Police say fake bank letters, agreements, and other paperwork were used to deceive the family and other investors.
Police suspect the scam targeted high-profile victims including retired police officers, civic officials, artists, and retired judges. Some investors allegedly put in as much as Rs 20 crores.
The fraud came to light in July 2025 when victims tried to verify project documents at the Bandra registration office and found the agreements did not exist in official records. The Crime Branch's property cell is investigating the case.
The lookout notice against Patil was issued this month over concerns he might flee the country. Jaaved Jaaferi has not commented on the matter.
