Former Rajasthan Royals and Sunrisers Hyderabad player Naman Ojha's father Vinay Ojha has been sentenced to seven years in prison in connection with an embezzlement case involving Bank of Maharashtra. Vinay Ojha and three others were found guilty, one person acquitted.
Naman Ojha's international cricket career was very short. He played just one Test, one ODI and two T20Is and scored 69 runs. However, the former cricketer played in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for 10 seasons where he played for Rajasthan Royals, Delhi Capitals and Sunrisers Hyderabad.
Naman Ojha's father Vinay Ojha was sentenced to seven years in prison
In 2013, a major embezzlement of Rs 1.25 crore took place at the Bank of Maharashtra branch in Joulkheda, Betul, Madhya Pradesh. The case involved six people, and after 11 years, a verdict was finally handed down. Four people, including Vinay Ojha, were convicted in connection with the fraud.
The Multai Additional Sessions Court issued the decision on Tuesday. The court found several key people guilty, including Abhishek Ratnam, who was identified as the mastermind behind the fraud. Ratnam was sentenced to 10 years in prison and fined Rs 80 for his role in the embezzlement.
Vinay Ojha, who was the bank's deputy director at the time, was also convicted. He was sentenced to seven years in prison and fined 7 million lei. Two brokers, Dhanraj Pawar and Lakhan Hingwe, who were involved in the scheme, were each sentenced to seven years in prison and fined Rs 7 million.
The hijacking was carried out using the passwords of bank officials
During the investigation of the case, it was revealed that the fraud was carried out using the bank officials' passwords. Nilesh Chatrole, a trainee branch manager whose ID and password were misused in the scheme, was acquitted. Four people were convicted, including Abhishek Ratnam and others.
“During the investigation, it was found that the embezzlement was carried out using the passwords of bank officials,” said prosecutor Rajesh Sable.
Opened fake accounts and misappropriated Rs 1.25 crore – Advocate Vishal Kodale
The court acquitted Nilesh Chatrole of all charges in the case. Advocate Vishal Kodale said Ratnam and Ojha, with the help of agents, opened fake accounts and diverted Rs 1.25 crore from Bank of Maharashtra.
“Abhishek Ratnam and Vinay Ojha, through agents, opened fake accounts and misappropriated Rs 1.25 crore,” Vishal Kodale gave more details about the case.