Police arrest Vaibhav Pandya for alleged financial fraud against cricketers Hardik and Krunal Pandya

In a startling development, Vaibhav Pandya, the stepbrother of renowned Indian cricketers Hardik and Krunal Pandya, has been arrested by the Mumbai Police on charges of cheating and forgery. Accusations against Vaibhav include the diversion of approximately Rs 4.3 crore from a partnership firm, detrimentally impacting his stepbrothers. This business, established in 2021, was supposed to distribute profits with 40% shares each for Hardik and Krunal, and 20% for Vaibhav. However, Vaibhav reportedly siphoned the funds into a separate company he created, violating the agreed terms.

The arrest followed a formal complaint by Hardik Pandya, aged 37, against Vaibhav, leading to immediate police action. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai police has taken the lead on this case, further investigating the depth of the alleged financial misappropriations.

The arrest comes at a challenging time for Hardik, who has recently been appointed the captain of the Mumbai Indians, taking over from Rohit Sharma. This change has not been well-received by a faction of fans, leading to additional pressure on the new captain. The Mumbai Indians faced a tough start under his leadership, losing their first three matches in the season. However, a recent victory against Delhi Capitals has offered some respite to Hardik and the team, hinting at a potential turnaround in their campaign.

In the wake of these challenges, Hardik openly acknowledged the psychological battles faced by the team: “It was a lot of hard work. We cleared a lot of minds, made sure our plans are right, the intent is right, and today was one of the days where everything clicked,” he remarked during the post-match presentation. This victory was crucial, not only adding two points to their league standings but also restoring some team morale.

This case of Vaibhav Pandya highlights a troubling trend of familial financial disputes intensifying to legal confrontations. For the Pandya brothers, this betrayal cuts deep, not just financially but emotionally, disrupting their personal lives during a critical phase of their professional careers. It’s a stark reminder of the complex interplay between family relationships and business dealings, especially when substantial financial interests are at stake. This incident will likely echo in the sports and legal communities, urging professional athletes to be more vigilant in their personal and business finances.