'He trusted him, didn't look into it too keenly' - Rishabh Pant's lawyer opens up on the fraud incident

Rishabh Pant filed a fraud case of 1.6 Crores against Haryana cricketer Mrinank Singh. Despite knowing each other since 2013-14, Pan felt in his fraudulent activities. Now, Pant’s lawyer Eklavya Dwivedi said that he trusted Mrinank and did not look into it keenly.

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While speaking to News18 Cricketnext, the lawyer told that Mrinank approached Rishabh back in 2020 or 2021. Mrinank said that he started a new business in luxury items. Pant was convinced by receiving some false references and he ordered some luxurious items from him. Having trust in him, Pant transferred some funds from his bank account also. However, those things did not get delivered ever from his side.

“He didn’t deliver any of the goods” - Eklavya Dwivedi

Eklavya Dwivedi said that Pant thought that the matter will go ahead. He said: “They (Rishabh Pant and Mrinank Singh) met in 2013-2014 and then there was a long gap after which Rishabh was approached by Mr. Mrinank Singh in 2020 or 2021, saying that he started a new business in luxury items and he can procure the same at a very cheap price. He can even sell any of the luxury goods that are owned by Rishabh and get the latter high profit for the same,”

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The lawyer also added: “So, this is how it all started and you know, Rishabh is a cricketer and has a soft spot for the people he knows. He trusted him and didn’t look into it too keenly. So, he thought that the matter will go ahead and he will get something from Mrinank.”

“Subsequently, there was a mutual oral settlement they arrived at. On this oral settlement, Mr. Mrinank Singh issued a cheque in favour of Rishabh for Rs 1.63 crore, which eventually bounced. From the bank, the total remittances were about Rs 1.3 crore and some jewellery and watches were handed over (for selling) for around Rs 60 lakhs,” Dwivedi concluded.

Apart from Pant, Mrinank duped also a Mumbai-based businessman, a movie director, and several hotels by providing fake references.