In a major development related to the BharatPe embezzlement case, a family member of Ashneer Grover, the former Managing Director and co-founder of BharatPe, has been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police. This marks the first time a relative of Grover has been taken into custody in connection with the alleged misappropriation of company funds.
Who Was Arrested?
Deepak Gupta, the brother-in-law of Ashneer Grover’s wife, Madhuri Jain Grover, was arrested on the night of September 19. Deepak Gupta is the husband of Madhuri Jain’s sister. Madhuri, who previously worked as the Head of Controls at BharatPe, had already been terminated from her position amid the controversy.
Sources indicate that Deepak Gupta is currently being held at Mandir Marg police station and will soon be presented before the Chief Judicial Magistrate (CJM) at Saket Court. The police are expected to request his remand for further questioning and investigation.
Background of the Case
This arrest is part of a larger investigation into financial irregularities at BharatPe. In December 2022, BharatPe filed a criminal complaint against Ashneer Grover and five of his family members, including his wife Madhuri Jain, her brother Shwetank Jain, their father Suresh Jain, and Deepak Gupta. The company accused them of embezzling a massive Rs 81.3 crore.
The allegations against the family include illegal payments to fake human resource consultants, fraudulent vendor payments, tax fraud involving input tax credit, and false transactions disguised as GST penalties. BharatPe also claims that fake invoices were created, and evidence was destroyed, resulting in a significant financial loss for the company.
Previous Arrests and Investigations
This is not the first arrest in the ongoing investigation. In May 2023, the Economic Offences Wing filed an FIR (First Information Report) against Ashneer Grover and his family members. Just last month, Amit Kumar Bansal, who was allegedly involved in fake transactions with companies, was arrested. Bansal is accused of receiving Rs 72 crore in illegal payments between 2019 and 2021 from BharatPe’s directors.
What Happens Next?
As the investigation continues, the police are working to gather more evidence and question those involved. Deepak Gupta’s arrest is seen as a significant step in uncovering the full extent of the alleged fraud. The remand process and further questioning are expected to shed more light on the involvement of other individuals in the embezzlement case.
Key Points to Remember:
- Deepak Gupta, the brother-in-law of Ashneer Grover’s wife, was arrested in connection with the BharatPe embezzlement case.
- BharatPe had filed a complaint in 2022 accusing Ashneer Grover and his family members of misappropriating Rs 81.3 crore.
- The company alleges fraud involving fake invoices, tax credit scams, and illegal vendor payments.
- This arrest follows the earlier detention of another individual, Amit Kumar Bansal, who was involved in suspicious transactions.
