#MumbaiBased

[judsonsantosblog]

Was sold fake Bawa, Souza, 9 more paintings for ₹17.9 cr, alleges exec

The India head of the US-based private equity firm TPG Capital filed a complaint with Tardeo police late on Monday night alleging that he was sold paintings by leading Indian artists worth ₹17.9 crore that turned out to be fakes. In his complaint, Bhatia named solicitor Vishwang Desai and art dealer Rajesh Rajpal, the owner of Art India International at Churchgate, as the men who duped him.

Puneet Bhatia, who recently started building his personal art collection, told police that 11 of the paintings he bought from Rajpal, including a Manjit Bawa and an FN Souza, turned out to be forgeries. In his complaint, he told police that he was introduced to Desai, managing partner in the law firm Desai and Diwanji, at a friend’s party in January of 2022. Bhatia told police that he was impressed by Desai’s knowledge about Indian art and he bought his claims of long experience in buying and selling art at face value. As their friendship cemented, Desai allegedly told Bhatia to invest in art and offered to help him source the “right” artworks. According to Bhatia’s police statement, Desai talked up Rajesh Rajpal’s credentials as an art dealer and spoke about his office at Churchgate and his art gallery at Cuffe Parade to establish Rajpal’s bona fides.

It was in the course of their many conversations about art and investment that Desai first told him about a Manjit Bawa painting titled Krishna with Cows which was up for sale for ₹ 6.75 crore. “I was told that the current owner of the painting was a retired IAS officer called Subrata Banerjee who lived in Bhopal,” said Bhatia in his police complaint. Desai also told him about a painting by FN Souza which was available for ₹1.75 crore, and which was allegedly owned by the head of an erstwhile princely state in Madhya Pradesh.

In early February, Bhatia was told that Banerjee was about to leave for London and the deal needed to be made before that. “I was told that Rajpal was in Bhopal to bring both the Bawa and the Souza to Mumbai.” Bhatia, who was then based in Gurugram, asked Rajpal to courier the two paintings to his bungalow instead.

Within days of him receiving the art consignment, Desai provided him with the requisite certificates of authenticity, self-attested and notarised certificates of provenance from the previous owners, and the invoices from Art India International.

Happy with his purchase, Bhatia bought nine more paintings from Rajpal, paying a total of ₹17.9 crore, according to his complaint. The paintings, he said, were showcased on the walls of his home when some friends raised suspicions about their authenticity. It was only then that Bhatia began making independent enquiries into the provenance and authenticity of the artworks. “I also reached out to the said bureaucrat Mr Banerjee through my own sources but he denied ever owning the Manjeet Bawa painting or having sold any other painting by the artist,” Bhatia told police.

He next approached a Mumbaibased company, Structured Systems, which specialises in forensic examination of handwriting and authenticating of artworks. They assessed the signatures of the artists appearing at the bottom of the paintings and informed Bhatia that they were forged. Based on this report from Structured Systems, Bhatia confronted the Desai and Rajpal, and demanded they return his money. He told police that while Desai first sought time, he later began evading his calls.

Solicitor denies role

When contacted, Desai denied his role in the dubious sale and told HT that he merely introduced Bhatia to the art dealer, and that they made the deal with the respective owner of the Bawa and the Souza. “I am not the person who sold the paintings to Bhatia,” he said, before going on to add that as an art connoisseur he himself had bought several artworks from Rajpal, and had in fact bought some paintings from the same lot as Bhatia.

As far as he knew, he said, the owners of the paintings had given Bhatia sworn affidavits and Rajpal too had provided him with certificates of authenticity. He also said, defending Rajpal, who is not a well-known name in Mumbai’s art circuit, that on Bhatia’s request, the art dealer had taken four of the painting sold to Bhatia and sold them to other buyers. The remaining seven artworks however could not be sold because the investment banker has refused to issue consent notes.

A representative from Structured Systems told HT they get frequent requests for authentication of artworks, and that most requests come to them through lawyers and independent agencies. Refusing to comment on Bhatia’s specific complaint, a representative, speaking on condition of anonymity, said: “We can only say that this kind cheating with art works happens far more often than most people realise.”

An officer with Tardeo police said the two accused had been booked under sections 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating and dishonesty), 467 (forgery of a valuable security, will or authority to transfer any valuable security), 468 (using forged documents for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using forged documents as genuine) of the Indian Penal Code based on Bhatia’s complaint.

Both Rajpal and Bhatia remained unavailable for comment despite several efforts to reach out to them.

PUNEET BHATIA TOLD POLICE THAT 11 OF THE PAINTINGS HE BOUGHT, WHICH INCLUDED A MANJIT BAWA AND AN F.N. SOUZA, WERE FORGERIES

[aashit-antique]

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[transpact]

Transpact Enterprises Ltd. First Startup to be listed on BSE Platform

[theopenimage]

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[fashion-luxury-jewellery]

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[bombayfreshfish]

A very happy Republic Day from the entire team of Bombay Fresh Fish (bombayfreshfish.com) #republicday2021 #republic #republicday #republicdayindia #republicday2022 #happyrepublicday #happyrepublicday🇮🇳 #happyrepublicday2022 #freshfish #freshseafood #loveforseafood #lovefornonveg #holiday #holidayseason #holidays #mumbai #mumbaiairport #mumbaidaily #mumbaiscenes #mumbaibased #mumbailove #mumbaikars #mumbaimerijaan #mumbaiinstagrammers #mumbaistreets #mumbaishopping #mumbailove #mumbailocal #mumbai #instagramreels (at Bombay Fresh Fish) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZL8m5aILOX/?utm_medium=tumblr

[snaptravel]

𝙏𝘼𝙓𝙄 🚕🚕🚕 | ᴛʀᴀᴠᴇʟ ᴍᴇᴛᴇʀ ᴅᴏᴡɴ | A Great Story Can Be expressed through this poster & a lovely picture can be framed through this 👀🤍 After loads of travel and destination most want a relaxed time... That time of relaxation can be witness into this 📸 Shot on @indiapoco #Shotonpoco 📌 DAILY TRAVEL POST 📌 ========================= 🌐Don't Forget To Follow🌐 PC ✅ : @snap_travel . . . . #mumbaipolice #mumbaidaily #mumbaiinstagrammers #mumbaimodel #mumbaistreets #mumbaiportraits #mumbaidairies #mumbaieats #mumbailocal #prilaga #mumbaibased #mumbaidancers #mumbaiscenes #mumbaimodels #mumbaiganeshutsav #mumbaifoodscenes #mumbailove. . #cinematictone #cinematics #photocinematic #cinematicfilms #cinematicphoto #cinematicshots #cinematictrain #cinematiclighting #cinematicfpv 👇Share Your Amazing Moments Of Travel👇 ⬇ LOW BUDGET💸... EXOTIC LOCATIONS 😍 ⬇ @snap_travel ⬇ 🌐 WANNA SHARE YOUR STORIES WITH ENTIRE TRAVEL COMMUNITY 🌐 ⬇ #snaptravel #travelstories #indiantravelblogger ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~©~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ (at Mumbai, Maharashtra) https://www.instagram.com/p/CSwGI2UAJz6/?utm_medium=tumblr

[stock-dehko]

By taking part in unconventional races, Mumbai-based ‘Bombay Running’ is setting new bars

By taking part in unconventional races, Mumbai-based ‘Bombay Running’ is setting new bars

Mumbai-based Bombay Running on taking up unconventional races like The Speed Project to try and set the bar for running communities across India It usually takes a day or, at best, a week for New Year’s resolutions to start cracking. Tushar Motwani, however, did the unthinkable. With 10 days to go for his birthday in December 2012, Tushar, and his friend Deepak Oberoi, resolved to run 10…

[sidnazpro2020]

Latest News Today - Mumbai-Based Developers Set For India's Second-Biggest

Latest News Today – Mumbai-Based Developers Set For India’s Second-Biggest

Macrotech has set a price of Rs 483-486 and the issue will run April 7-9. Macrotech Developers Ltd. will sell Rs 2,500 crore ($341 million) of shares next week in India’s second-largest initial public offering from a real estate firm. This is the Mumbai-based company’s third regulatory approval to list since 2009 and the latest attempt comes as it needs cash to help repay debt. Macrotech,…

[malwani-cha-laadka]

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[themobilitysolution]

Hyundaigrand i10 Modified for Handicapped in Mumbai Best Hand Control Car Kit for Disabled Persons

Contact your local dealer today — Mr. Swapnil Bane : 9270808105 Mr. Swapnil Bane is a dealer of Mobility Solutions who lives in Mumbai, Maharashtra. With his help, we are able to provide our services all across the state at regional rates, which certainly is very reasonable and affordable for our customers. Our mission to make #physicallychallenged people of #india Independent by enhancing their #mobility is moving forward everyday. By eliminating the travelling cost, we have made the product available to the #disabledpeopleofmumbai at extremely attractive prices! Mobility Solutions does not want a #personwithdisability to settle for some sloppy or unauthorized or unsafe mechanism. We believe our community deserves the best and safest good-looking #handcontrolforcars to develop a constant urge for #drivingwithdisability As driving being the best way to eliminate the isolation by meeting friends, going out with families, or asking out someone special on a long drive! From our own experience with #disability we can say that driving is one of the best ways to explore the world confidently, and confidence comes with great trust and faith in the product that you are using. And we make sure that you feel comfortable, prideful and confident enough while showing off the technology you use. The most handsome Hand Control in the market is what you need and why not? When the rates are so affordable as well.

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[eccentricshow]

Did you know about Bom-Baim ? . . . For more interesting, amazing, random facts follow us on Instagram and YouTube. . . . #mumbai #mumbaieats #mumbaiinstagrammers #mumbaiclicks #mumbaiportraits #mumbaimerijaan #mumbaifoodlovers #mumbaibizarre #mumbaigram #mumbaiuntold #mumbaidaily #mumbaimodels #mumbailove #punephotographylovers #explorepage #mumbaifoodscenes #mumbaibased #mumbaiairport #mumbaimakeup #mumbaistreets #mumbaicity #mumbaidairies #mumbaiscenes #mumbaiganpati #mumbairains #mumbainightlife #mumbaibloggers #mumbaiphotography #mumbailife #eccentricshow (at Mumbai, Maharashtra) https://www.instagram.com/p/CMGo9Obj2cJ/?igshid=xtbzqyo94rnn

[aashit-antique]

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[theopenimage]

"Untitled". This photo is part of my series of Smartphone Sketches; I find that a smartphone is an awesome tool to develop your creative eye. I facilitate a 3-hour smartphone photography workshop via Zoom that will help you develop a creative eye for photography. Drop a comment if you'd like me to message you the details of my workshop. #mumbailove, #mumbaistreets, #mumbaiinstagrammers, #mumbaidaily, #mumbaibased, #everydayphotography, #everydayphotoaday, #dailyphotos, #indiaphotos, #mumbaicity, #mumbaiscenes, #mumbai, #indiaphotography, #smartphonephotographyworkshop, #smartphonecamera, #smartphonephotographer, #smartphonephotos, #smartphonefilmmaking, #artphotographystyle, #everydayphotoaday, #dailyphotograph, #dailyphotoshoot, #indiaphotographer, #indiaphotographers #ipreview https://www.instagram.com/p/CcalxnLMBaY/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[fashion-luxury-jewellery]

Luxury Long Neckpiece. . . . . . . . . . . . . . #mumbai #mumbailife #mumbailifestyle #mumbaigirls #mumbaidiaries #mumbaifashion #mumbainightlife #mumbaimakeup #mumbai❤️💑😘 #mumbailife #mumbai_ig #mumbaidairies #mumbaifashion #mumbaifashionweek #mumbaifashionphotographer #mumbaifashionshow #mumbaifahiondesigner #mumbaifashionshow #mumbaifashioninfluencer #mumbaifashionexhibition #mumbaifashionlovers #mumbaibased #mumbaiinstagrammers #mumbaishopping #mumbailove #mumbaimodels #mumbaiinstagrammers #mumbaiblogger #mumbaigram #mumbai_uncensored #mumbaiuntold #mumbaiclicks #mumbaifashionista #mumbailuxury (at Grand Hyatt Mumbai) https://www.instagram.com/p/Ca0CUaQvRCb/?utm_medium=tumblr

[mediaway]

Mumbai-based start-up Railofy launches India’s first ‘Waitlist and RAC Protection’ service Image Source : PTI Mumbai-based start-up Railofy launches India's first 'Waitlist and RAC Protection' service (Representational image)