Indian Cricketer's Father Sentenced to 7 Years in Jail, Court Delivers Verdict in Fraud Case After 11 Years

Vinay Ojha, father of Indian cricketer Naman Ojha, has been sentenced to seven years in jail and fined ₹7 lakh for embezzling ₹1.25 crore in 2013. He was an Assistant Manager at the Bank of Maharashtra's Joulkheda branch during the incident.

Verdict Details

Four persons, including Vinay Ojha, were convicted in the case after an 11-year trial. The mastermind, Abhishek Ratnam, was given 10 years in jail and ₹80 lakh fine. Two middlemen, Dhanraj Pawar and Lakhan Hingwe, were given seven years of imprisonment and ₹7 lakh fine each.

Fraud Execution

The fraud was hatched by Abhishek Ratnam who, with the help of bank employees' passwords, had created fake accounts and was siphoning off money. It was found that Vinay Ojha was directly involved in embezzlement. However, the ID of trainee manager Nilesh Chatrole was misused, but he was declared innocent.

Court's Findings

As this trial was prolonged, the very cashier involved in the fraud expired during the course of hearing. Lawyer Vishal Kodale revealed that Ratnam and Ojha conducted fraudulent accounts through agents resulting in the scam of Rs 1.25 crs. The court has been able to give justice with the conviction of four among six accused after over ten years.