The driver of veteran screenwriter and actor Honey Irani, mother of filmmaker-actor Farhan Akhtar, has been arrested in Mumbai over an alleged ₹12 lakh fraud involving misuse of cards. The case emerged after inconsistencies were discovered in fuel and vehicle maintenance records, prompting police action and further investigation.
According to reports from The Free Press Journal and IANS, Naresh Ramvinod Singh, 35, was taken into custody following a complaint filed by Irani’s manager, Diya Bhatia. The manager had conducted an internal review after noticing unusual billing patterns in vehicle-related expenses, which revealed serious financial discrepancies.
Discovery of the Alleged Fraud
The reports state that the alleged irregularities were identified on October 1, 2025. Bhatia observed that a Maruti vehicle owned by Honey Irani, which has a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres, was recorded as consuming 62 litres of diesel. Investigators also found records of engine oil purchases for a vehicle that had been sold seven years earlier.
Further scrutiny revealed repeated, unusually high transactions on three separate credit cards registered under Farhan Akhtar’s name at a petrol pump on S.V. Road near Bandra Lake.
Naresh Singh reportedly gave inconsistent explanations when questioned, initially claiming to have used only one card. However, police investigations established that multiple cards were misused. Singh admitted to obtaining the cards in 2022 from Santosh Kumar, Akhtar’s former driver, and using them to withdraw cash without refuelling. Transaction amounts reportedly ranged between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 each.
Alleged Accomplice and Legal Action
Authorities allege that Singh worked with Arun Amar Singh, a 52-year-old petrol pump employee, to carry out the scheme. Instead of filling fuel, cash was withdrawn, with Arun Singh taking a commission per transaction. Arun Singh is currently absconding, and the police are investigating whether others were involved in the alleged scam.
Following Bhatia’s complaint, the Bandra Police registered a case under sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4), and 418 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. Naresh Singh remains in custody as investigations continue to determine the full scope of the alleged fraud, according to the reports.
Farhan Akhtar’s Upcoming Project
Farhan Akhtar is set to return to acting with his next film, 120 Bahadur, portraying Major Shaitan Singh Bhati. The film is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
According to reports from The Free Press Journal and IANS, Naresh Ramvinod Singh, 35, was taken into custody following a complaint filed by Irani’s manager, Diya Bhatia. The manager had conducted an internal review after noticing unusual billing patterns in vehicle-related expenses, which revealed serious financial discrepancies.
Discovery of the Alleged Fraud
The reports state that the alleged irregularities were identified on October 1, 2025. Bhatia observed that a Maruti vehicle owned by Honey Irani, which has a fuel tank capacity of 35 litres, was recorded as consuming 62 litres of diesel. Investigators also found records of engine oil purchases for a vehicle that had been sold seven years earlier.
Further scrutiny revealed repeated, unusually high transactions on three separate credit cards registered under Farhan Akhtar’s name at a petrol pump on S.V. Road near Bandra Lake.
Naresh Singh reportedly gave inconsistent explanations when questioned, initially claiming to have used only one card. However, police investigations established that multiple cards were misused. Singh admitted to obtaining the cards in 2022 from Santosh Kumar, Akhtar’s former driver, and using them to withdraw cash without refuelling. Transaction amounts reportedly ranged between ₹1,000 and ₹1,500 each.
Alleged Accomplice and Legal Action
Authorities allege that Singh worked with Arun Amar Singh, a 52-year-old petrol pump employee, to carry out the scheme. Instead of filling fuel, cash was withdrawn, with Arun Singh taking a commission per transaction. Arun Singh is currently absconding, and the police are investigating whether others were involved in the alleged scam.
Following Bhatia’s complaint, the Bandra Police registered a case under sections 316(2) (criminal breach of trust), 318(4), and 418 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. Naresh Singh remains in custody as investigations continue to determine the full scope of the alleged fraud, according to the reports.
Farhan Akhtar’s Upcoming Project
Farhan Akhtar is set to return to acting with his next film, 120 Bahadur, portraying Major Shaitan Singh Bhati. The film is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
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