More than six years after the death of veteran Bollywood actress Nimmi, the Mumbai police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against her former caretaker, Asrar Iqbal Shaikh. The Santacruz police initiated the case on November 11, following allegations that Shaikh misappropriated properties, jewellery, and bank deposits intended for the late actress’s legal heirs.
Nimmi, born Nawab Banu, passed away on March 25, 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. According to the complaint filed by Mohammad Yunus Salim Durrani, a relative authorised to represent the family, the actress and her late husband, screenwriter Ali Raza, had employed Shaikh as domestic help in 2003. Durrani stated that as Nimmi aged and required medical assistance, she opened joint bank accounts with Shaikh, using an "either or survivor" mandate that allowed him to manage her financial transactions.
The FIR alleges that after the actress’s death, Shaikh siphoned off fixed deposits totaling Rs 1.77 crore—comprising Rs 1.23 crore from State Bank of India and Rs 54 lakh from Saraswat Bank—and sold her Maruti Suzuki Ciaz car as scrap for personal gain. Furthermore, the complaint claims that Shaikh attempted to seize two flats located in Neha Apartment on Juhu Tara Road, which were registered in the actress's name.
The legal dispute involves a will executed by Nimmi, which names her adopted son, Ali Sayyed Parvez, as a beneficiary. Parvez, who resided in Britain, passed away in December 2020 and is survived by his wife and three children. The Times of India reported that the complainant alleged Shaikh proposed an equal division of the inheritance and resorted to threats when the offer was rejected. The validity of the will is currently being contested before the Bombay High Court.
Key facts
- The Santacruz police registered the FIR against Asrar Iqbal Shaikh on November 11.
- Allegations include the misappropriation of Rs 1.77 crore in fixed deposits from two banks.
- The actress passed away on March 25, 2020, at the age of 87.
- The case includes charges of criminal breach of trust, cheating, and forgery under the Indian Penal Code.
- The disputed assets include two flats in Neha Apartment, Juhu, and various pieces of jewellery.
Why it matters
Police have confirmed that an investigation into the matter is currently underway. The proceedings regarding the legal validation of the actress's will remain pending before the Bombay High Court, which will determine the final distribution of her estate to the surviving beneficiaries.
Background
Nimmi made her debut in the 1949 film 'Barsaat' and went on to become a leading star in the Indian film industry, working alongside actors such as Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, and Dev Anand. Following the death of her husband, Ali Raza, in 2007, she had been living alone in her Juhu apartments until her passing.
Source: Times of India, Indian Express
Comments