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 fraud involving actor Javed Jaffrey’s family. Reportedly, the notice was issued earlier this month amid concerns that Patil may leave the country while the investigation is ongoing. The development is the latest step in an investigation that has already led to the arrest of UK-based businessman Nishit Patel.
Javed Jafri family fraud case: Crime branch issues lookout notice against accused BMC officer
The case pertains to alleged investments made by actor Javed Jaaferi, his wife Habiba Jaaferi, their relatives and several other persons in a proposed redevelopment project in Bandra West. Investigators claim that investors were promised attractive returns and commercial space in the redevelopment project, but were instead defrauded through forged documents and false assurances.
Police officials said that Habiba Jaffrey first came in contact with Mahesh Patil in April 2024, when he had gone to his BMC office in connection with a tax-related matter. During the conversation, Patil allegedly told him about an investment opportunity involving a property project in Bandra and advised him to invest through Nishit Patel.
According to investigators, Patel later visited the Jafri family’s residence several times and presented layouts, maps and documents related to the project to gain their trust. He reportedly convinced the family to invest a substantial sum in exchange for commercial space in the proposed redevelopment.
Crime branch officials have alleged that forged letters of intent as well as other fabricated documents, allegedly issued by a private bank, were used to convince investors about the validity of the project.
The property cell of Mumbai Crime Branch had earlier arrested Nishit Patel for his alleged role in the case. Officials claim that around Rs 16.24 crore was collected from Javed Jaffrey, his family members and other investors through misleading representations associated with the redevelopment project.
Investigators also suspect that the alleged fraud may have affected several prominent individuals. Retired police officers, civic officials, artists and retired judges were among those who allegedly invested amounts ranging from Rs 50 lakh to Rs 20 crore after being promised attractive returns, police sources said.
The alleged fraud reportedly came to light in July 2025 when some complainants went to the Bandra registration office to verify documents related to the project. During the verification process, he reportedly discovered that one of the agreements shown to him did not exist in the official records.
