Scam busted! How DPIFF founder sold awards to flop actors
What's the story
Anil Mishra, the founder and managing director of the Dadasaheb Phalke International Film Festival (DPIFF), has been accused of an awards scam. His son Abhishek Mishra is also named in the case.
The First Information Report (FIR) was registered at Bandra Police Station in Mumbai on Wednesday.
Allegedly, other family members including Mishra's wife Parvati and daughter Shweta are also involved in this fraudulent scheme.
Legal action
FIR filed by BJP's Chitrapat Aghadi unit president
According to a report by The Free Press Journal, Mishra allegedly sold awards to film actors, including those whose films flopped at the box office. The scheme reportedly earned him a lot of money.
Sameer Dixit, the State President of Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) Chitrapat Aghadi unit, filed the FIR against Mishra and his son.
The charges were filed under Sections 318 (4) and 319 (2) of the Indian Penal Code (BNS-2023).
Deceptive tactics
Alleged fraudulent permission for award show
Mishra had planned an award show on February 20 at Bandra's five-star hotel, Taj Lands End.
The permission for the event was allegedly taken under false pretenses through a company called International Tourism Festival Private Limited, which is defunct.
Mishra reportedly duped the Bandra police to get approval for his event.
Now, a case has been registered against him and the permission for the event may be revoked.
Registration issues
Mishra's DPIFF is not officially registered
Mishra's organization, DPIFF, is not registered officially. Reportedly, the government has rejected three different applications for registration, each with minor changes in the name.
Further, it has also been revealed that Mishra's membership with the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) has also expired.
These revelations add another layer of controversy to the already complicated case against him and his family members.