Bhojpuri star Pawan Singh accused of fraud in Varanasi amid viral video controversy

Bhojpuri superstar Pawan Singh is facing a fresh controversy in Varanasi, India, where a court has ordered the police to register a case against him for allegedly cheating a hotelier out of Rs 1.57 crore. The complaint, filed by businessman Vishal Singh, claims that Pawan Singh and three others - Premshankar Rai, his wife Seema Rai, and director Arvind Choubey - promised him profits for investing in the 2018 Bhojpuri film Boss.

Charges and Accusations

Pawan Singh, Premshankar Rai, Seema Rai, and director Arvind Choubey face charges of cheating a hotel businessman. They are accused of promising investment in a Bhojpuri film. A case has been filed against them under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

The Hotelier's Claims

Vishal Singh, a Varanasi hotel and tour operator, alleges he was defrauded by Premshankar Rai and his wife. Singh claims the couple persuaded him to invest approximately Rs 1.57 crore in a Bhojpuri film. They promised to return the investment with profits.

Investment Details

Vishal Singh made installment deposits totaling about Rs 32.60 lakh into their account. Approximately Rs 1.25 crore was spent on the film's production. However, Singh did not receive his money back, nor did he receive any share of the profits.

Allegations of Forgery and Threats

The allegations also include claims that the accused forged documents to falsely portray Vishal as the film's producer. When Vishal demanded his money back, they allegedly began avoiding him. Furthermore, Pawan Singh is accused of threatening Vishal's life.

Court Orders Investigation

Following the victim's application, the court instructed the Cantt police station to register a case and begin an investigation. Pawan Singh has recently faced multiple controversies. A recent viral video from a cultural program has drawn significant criticism. In the video, Singh is seen touching Haryanvi actress Anjali Raghav's waist. Raghav appeared uncomfortable and responded, but Singh continued, upsetting the audience.

Viral Video Controversy

The video's rapid spread online fueled significant public outrage. Despite Singh's apology, the controversy intensified with the involvement of the Women's Commission.

Anjali Raghav's Response

Anjali Raghav later broke her silence, posting a video message online. She stated that the incident made her feel uneasy, although she had little time to react during the program. Her comments sparked strong reactions from fans and colleagues, further fueling the debate about Singh's behavior.