Mumbai Police have filed a case against prominent industrialist Nusli Neville Wadia, grandson of Pakistan’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, along with several family members and associates, for allegedly submitting forged and fabricated documents in court proceedings related to a long-standing legal dispute with Ferani Hotels Pvt Ltd.
The FIR was filed on the directions of the metropolitan magistrate’s court in Borivli, following a petition that alleged cheating and forgery in connection with documents used in the legal battle.
Those named in the FIR include Nusli Wadia, his wife Maureen Wadia, sons Ness Wadia and Jehangir Wadia, along with H.J. Bamji, K.F. Bharucha, and R.E. Wandewala.
Nusli Wadia, 81, is chairman of the Wadia Group, a major Indian conglomerate with interests in sectors such as aviation, textiles, real estate, and FMCG. Born in 1944, he is the son of Dina Wadia, the only child of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, making him a direct descendant of one of South Asia’s most influential political figures.
The case centers on a decades-old development agreement concerning a plot of land in Malad, Mumbai. The agreement, signed over 30 years ago between Wadia and Ferani Hotels, involved plans for development by builder K. Raheja, under which Wadia was to receive 12% of the gross sale proceeds. However, the partnership deteriorated in 2008, leading to protracted legal battles over revenue sharing and land management.
What began as a commercial dispute has since escalated, involving allegations of fraudulent practices, unauthorized actions, and misrepresentation. The matter has seen proceedings in multiple courts, including the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court of India.
