The Delhi Police apprehended 25-year-old Mrinank Singh, a former Under-19 cricketer, on Monday. This incident marked a disturbing chapter involving financial deceit that ensnared not only the cricketing sensation Rishabh Pant but also the prestigious Taj Hotels. The intricate web of lies and false promises spun by Singh ultimately led to his arrest.
The crux of the matter revolves around Rishabh Pant, the 24-year-old cricketing genius who, unfortunately, fell victim to a staggering financial loss of Rs 1.63 crore (approximately $1.5 million) in 2020 and 2021. Pant, while embarking on the journey of launching his luxury goods company in 2022, entrusted Mrinank Singh with a significant sum to procure high-end jewellery and watches.
However, what transpired next was nothing short of a financial nightmare for Pant. Singh allegedly failed to deliver the promised items, prompting Pant to resort to legal measures to reclaim the defrauded amount. In an attempt to rectify the situation, Singh issued a check to Pant for Rs 1.63 crore. Unfortunately, when Pant tried to encash the check, it bounced due to insufficient funds.
Adding another layer of complexity to this saga, Singh, in July 2022, stayed at the exclusive Taj Hotel. During his stay, he amassed a staggering bill of Rs 5.53 lakh. Astonishingly, Singh claimed that his purported Adidas sponsors would settle the bill upon his departure. However, the hotel was unable to trace the Rs 2 lakh payment Singh purportedly submitted, raising suspicions.
The Young Cricketer Who Cheated Rishabh Pant Of Rs 1.63 Crore Gets Arrested
Frustrated by Singh’s broken promises, the hotel staff took the matter seriously and filed a formal complaint against him. This initiated a sequence of events that led to Singh’s detainment by immigration officers in Delhi as he tried to leave the country for Hong Kong.
As the situation escalated, Singh resorted to a desperate move by attempting to impersonate Alok Kumar, a senior police official from Karnataka, in a bid to seek assistance. However, this ploy was short-lived, as immigration officials in Delhi saw through his disguise and promptly informed the Delhi Police about his whereabouts.
To contextualise the gravity of this situation, it’s essential to understand Rishabh Pant’s stature in the world of cricket. Hailing from Uttarakhand, Pant has emerged as one of the brightest talents in Indian cricket, known for his explosive batting style and agile wicketkeeping.
#Gravitas | Mrinank Singh, a 25-year-old from Faridabad, once aspired to be a cricket star but ended up on a drastically different path.
His promising cricket career and academic achievements took a dark turn as he delved into a life of deceit and fraud.@MollyGambhir reports pic.twitter.com/DR685MjnuV
— WION (@WIONews) December 28, 2023
Having made his international debut in 2017, Pant has rapidly risen through the ranks, showcasing his prowess with notable performances in Test, One Day International (ODI), and T20 formats. His aggressive approach with the bat and adept glovework have solidified his position as a crucial asset to the Indian cricket team. Currently, he is recovering from the injuries that he suffered during the near-fatal road accident in December.
