Asian Games Gold Medallist Sarita Gayakwad Allegedly Cheated of ₹69 Lakh

Indian sprinter and 2018 Asian Games gold medallist Sarita Gayakwad has allegedly been cheated of ₹69.10 lakh by a man who promised her lucrative returns on investments in his sand business in Gujarat. The accused is currently absconding, police said on Monday.

An FIR was registered against Nitin Bharti, a resident of Vyara town in Tapi district, at Ahwa police station in Dang district on October 29, following a complaint filed by the athlete. Inspector K B Sankhla said efforts were underway to trace and arrest the accused.

According to the complaint, Gayakwad, 32, was introduced to Bharti in 2024 through a mutual acquaintance, Jitubhai, the sarpanch of Gadhvi gram panchayat in Dang district. During their meeting, Bharti allegedly claimed that he operated a large-scale sand business in Vyara, supplying construction material to Mumbai.

He reportedly told the athlete that he had invested between ₹3 crore and ₹4 crore of his own money in the business and offered her a monthly return of 4 per cent on her investment. He also promised to repay the principal amount after one year.

Trusting his assurances, Gayakwad invested a total of ₹69,10,059. However, the accused allegedly failed to pay the promised monthly returns or return the principal amount after the agreed period.

When she repeatedly contacted him for repayment, Bharti allegedly gave assurances and later sent her a photograph of a ₹30 lakh cheque through WhatsApp, claiming it was issued towards repayment. However, he did not hand over the actual cheque. The athlete said she had been unable to contact him over the phone for the past two months.

Gayakwad, who won gold as part of India's women's 4x400-metre relay team at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, lives with her parents in Karadiamba village in Ahwa taluka.

Police registered the case under Sections 316(5) and 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to criminal breach of trust and aggravated cheating. Further investigation is underway.