Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt’s former secretary arrested for duping over Rs 76 lakh

In a shocking case of betrayal, Bollywood star Alia Bhatt’s former secretary has been arrested for allegedly cheating her Company to  the tune of Rs 77 lakh. The accused, Vedika Prakash Shetty, 32, was nabbed by Mumbai Police after an extensive search across multiple states.

Fraud Uncovered After Family Complaint

The fraud came to light when Alia’s mother, veteran actor-director Soni Razdan, filed a complaint with Juhu police on January 23. According to officials, Shetty allegedly committed financial irregularities amounting to Rs 76.9 lakh between May 2022 and August 2024, targeting both Bhatt’s production house, Eternal Sunshine Productions Pvt Ltd, and her personal accounts.

A Web of Fake Bills and Deception

Police investigations revealed that Shetty, who worked as Bhatt’s assistant from 2021 to 2024, misused her access to the actor’s financial records and schedule. She allegedly created fake bills for travel, meetings, and other arrangements, convincing Bhatt to sign them. The funds were then transferred to an associate’s account before being routed back to Shetty.

Officials added that Shetty used sophisticated tools to make the forged bills appear authentic, making it difficult to detect the fraud initially.

A Multi-State Manhunt Ends in Bengaluru

After the complaint, Shetty went on the run, frequently changing locations. Police tracked her movements from Rajasthan to Karnataka and Pune. Subsequently, she was arrested from Bengaluru and brought to Mumbai on a transit remand.

A Cautionary Tale

This case serves as a stark reminder of the risks posed by misplaced trust, even in professional relationships. As the investigation continues, police are probing if others were involved in the financial fraud.