Bhojpuri Film 'Wanted' Producer Jaswant Kumar Arrested in ₹78.20 Lakh Fraud Case

The Sarnath Police registered a case in April 2022 in connection with the alleged financial dispute. The action against Jaswant Kumar came nearly four years after the complaint was filed. The Bhojpuri film ‘Wanted’ was released in 2018.

According to Sarnath Police Station In-charge Pankaj Tripathi, Surendra Yadav, a resident of Rustampur (Chaubepur), had lodged the case alleging that a partnership notarial agreement was signed on October 9, 2017, between his brother Virendra Yadav’s firm M/s Shiva Film and TV House and Jaswant Kumar’s firm Shri J Soharta Production House, located in Itbahar (Gaur), Basti district, for producing the film.

As per the agreement between Surendra Yadav and Jaswant Kumar, the invested amount was to be returned along with profits earned from the film. Surendra Yadav and Virendra Yadav invested money for film production. Jaswant Kumar’s firm produced the Bhojpuri film ‘Wanted’, which was released in 2018. After the film’s release, Jaswant allegedly refused to return the money.

At present, the accused was residing at Veera Desai Road, Andheri, Mumbai. Since the bank account of Virendra Yadav’s firm was located at ICICI Bank in Pahadiya, Sarnath, the Sarnath Police initially refused to register the case in 2022 following the complaint. Later, on the order of the then Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), a case was registered, in which action has now been taken.

A police team from Varanasi travelled to Mumbai and arrested producer Jaswant Kumar. After his arrest, he was presented before the court, which granted his transit remand. The police then brought him to Varanasi on transit remand, following which he was sent to jail.

The team involved in the arrest included Station House Officer Pankaj Tripathi, Sub-Inspector Avanish Mishra, Head Constable Shivshankar Rai and Arvind Yadav.

According to media reports, police officials stated that Jaswant Kumar was not cooperating with the investigation and was repeatedly attempting to avoid legal action. Officials said he had been evading proceedings in the name of the investigation. Due to his absence and attempts to avoid the probe, the court issued a non-bailable warrant against him, after which police intensified the action.

A police team from Varanasi reached Mumbai after receiving information that Jaswant Kumar was present in the Veera Desai Road area of Andheri West. The team increased surveillance and arrested him. After the arrest, he was produced before the Andheri Court. Following the court’s approval of transit remand, police brought him back to Varanasi.

Pawan Singh’s action and romance-based Bhojpuri film ‘Wanted’ featured several prominent actors, including Nidhi Jha, Umesh Singh, Ayyaz Khan, Jaswinder Singh Jassi, Raju Singh, Mahi and Vijay Tripathi.