Mumbai: In a major development in the ongoing fraud case involving renowned chef and restaurateur Farrokh Khambata (46), police investigation has revealed that his bank accounts currently show zero balance. The revelation follows allegations that he forged his wife’s signatures to secure loans from multiple banks and financial institutions.
Gamdevi Police Registeres A Case
On January 27, the Gamdevi Police registered a case against celebrity chef Farrokh Khambata following a complaint filed by his wife, Dilshad Khambata. She alleged that her husband had forged her signature to obtain loans from multiple financial institutions, falsely making her a co-borrower.
According to the Gamdevi police, Khambata received Rs 40 lakh and Rs 20 lakh in two separate bank accounts as part of a fraudulent loan scheme. The total amount of Rs 60 lakh, obtained by misusing his wife Dilshad Khambata’s documents, has already been withdrawn from both accounts.
About The Case
The case against Khambata includes serious charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) — including Section 335 (making false documents), Section 336(2) (forgery), and Section 340(2) (using forged electronic records as genuine). Bank statements from the involved accounts have been requested, and Dilshad’s alleged forged signatures will be sent for forensic verification.
Dilshad, a resident of Altamount Road, filed the complaint that led to the FIR. She and Farrokh Khambata were married in 1997 and have a 23-year-old son. Interestingly, this case surfaced months after Dilshad filed a missing person complaint on September 20, 2024, stating that Farrokh had been missing since April 5, 2024. Despite extensive searches and analysis of phone records, police have not yet located him.
According to police sources, in February, the police issued a Look Out Circular (LOC) against Farrokh to prevent him from fleeing to another country. The investigation is ongoing, and further legal action will be taken based on the findings, they said. Farrokh is currently believed to be in the Philippines. In light of this, the police have sought his passport and visa details from the Foreigners Regional Registration Office as part of their ongoing investigation.
Dilshad told police she first became aware of the alleged fraud in October and November 2024 when she started receiving calls from loan recovery agents. Her investigation revealed that her Aadhaar and PAN details had been misused for loan applications, with several loans taken between June and September 2024, some of which listed her as a co-borrower without her consent. Police have learned that Farrokh secured loans from at least two banks. As the investigation continues, Gamdevi police are actively trying to trace his whereabouts.
