Encounter specialist Prakash Bhandary threatens business partner, takes over Juhu fashion store at gunpoint

Akela

MEGH Vinaychandra Shah, famous fashion designer from Mumbai complained against the Assistant Commissioner of Police, (ACP) Prakash Bhandary alleging that he kicked him out of the business and acquired the fashion store threatening to kill him in fake encounter. Megh Shah also claimed that Bhandary invested ₹ 10 lakh only in the business but usurps business of crore of rupees with help of anti-social elements.

Megh Shah is a well-known fashion designer based in Mumbai. He has been complaining against Bhandary (copies available with ABI) since a long time. Prakash Bhandary, a 1983 batch officer, is one of the best encounter specialists of the Mumbai police. He is famous for killing gangsters (figure not found) from the Mumbai underworld. Currently he is posted in the Special Investigation Department of the Maharashtra Police as the Assistant Commissioner of Police. He is a resident of Hill Road, Bandra. Bhandary’s work has inspired producers to rope him in for reel-life lead roles — in Tulu films ‘Pettaya Puli’ and ‘Ananthaprema’. He played a cop in both, helped perhaps by his real-life roles.

Megh Shah and Prakash Bhandary were in cordial relationship since 1999. Earlier Megh Shah was a franchise partner and chief designer in ‘Mischief’ (owned by bollywood actor Suniel Shetty) situated at Warden Road, Mumbai. Prakash Bhandary’s real brother Suresh Bhandary was partner in the business with Suniel Shetty. Prakash Bhandary often visited the store where Shah and Bhandary became friends. There was major dispute between two brothers -Suresh and Prakash. In 2007 Shah and Suresh Bhandary started a designer studio by name ‘Mischief’ at Bandra.

According to complaints Megh Shah is involved in fashion designing for the past 28 years by the brand name ‘Megh.’ In April 2013, he established a fashion store ‘Studio Megh’ in a posh locality 12/A, Lakshyadweep Building, Gulmohar Cross Road No-5, JVPD, Juhu (West) on leave and license basis with a monthly rental of Rs. 2, 00,000 and deposit of Rs. 10, 00,000. Shah spent Rs. 30, 00,000 approximately to construct and create the store. Rs. 45, 00,000 he spent to purchase raw materials (fabrics), accessories, ties and cufflinks etc.

As Prakash Bhandary was very friendly with Shah he often used one of the rooms in Studio Megh for his personal meetings. In the past Prakash Bhandary helped Shah financially. Megh Shah needed money to run the business smoothly. He seeks financial help (friendly loan) from Bhandary.

On October 4, 2014 Bhandary called Shah at his residence. Bhandary got ready to invest Rs. 32, 00,000 on condition of 50-50 percent partnership. On October 7, 2014 Bhandary gave Rs. 10, 00,000 as token amount to Shah and promised to pay the balance amount within a weeks’ time.

Surprisingly on the second day i.e. October 8, 2014 Bhandary appeared in store and started interfering in minute working aspects. She took control over the entire finances. A little later both the father and daughter took the entire charge of store without paying the agreed amount. Bhandary started behaving with Shah like a servant. Shah was forced to sit in a tiny corner to function.

On October 31, 2014 Bhandary called Shah at his residence. He kept his revolver on table and asked to sign on a few papers which turned out to be the agreements and important deals. Bhandary heavily insulted, cursed and gave the life threats to sign the given agreements. Helpless Shah signed on the papers without reading. “Bhandary gave me Rs. 10, 00,000 only and acquired my store on gun power. I have been kicked out from running partnership. I am jobless from past four months,” said Shah. After having signed the documents Shah was still unpaid for the remaining balance.

One day in April 2015, Shah was shocked when few goons stopped him for entering into the store. He was manhandled. He was threatened that if he (Shah) stepped his foot into store or in its lane, will be killed and his body parts will be found in deferent parts of Mumbai.

Since then Shah and his family members are facing several type of threats. Running from pillar to post to get rid of from Bhandary’s clutch. He and his son complained against Bhandary but nothing happened. Recently on July 19, 2015 Assistant Police Inspector (API) Meena Naik from V P Road police station recorded the statement of Shah.

“Prakash Bhandary has created havoc in my life which has put my children, my wife and me in atrocious fear. He may misuse his power and influence to get me and my family killed in a fake encounter,” said Shah.

Despite repeated attempts Prakash Bhandaray was not available for comments as his mobile phone was switched off.

Read Soon: “Who” phoned and wished Bhandary-get well soon, when in 1999 Bhandary was admitted in PD Hinduja hospital at Mahim, after he met with a road accident at Thane.