A handle purportedly of Amruta sent a message on February 24 saying her relationship with “Devji” was strained since 2019, but “I will talk to Devenji… one thing I know about him is that once he verifies and feels you are victimised, he will 100% do justice.”
Investigating officer Ravi Sardesai said Amruta’s conversation four days after the FIR was according to police advice in a bid to trace the location of Jaisinghani, absconding for seven-eight years. “We instructed the complainant to engage him through WhatsApp chats and other means for a prolonged period till the accused is apprehended,” he said.
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Why Amruta Fadnavis has filed an FIR against a designer
In the transcript of chats running into over a dozen pages (TOI has a copy), Amruta also says on February 24: “Instead of speaking on phone, I will meet Aniksha at some location other than Sagar Bungalow (the Fadnavis’s official residence)… I will meet her only after 26th as Devenji is busy in the Pune bypoll till 26th.”
The messages suggested they meet at a five-star hotel at BKC. The transcript is attached to the chargesheet filed on May 18.
Aniksha, 24, and Anil Jaisinghani, 56, are accused of offering a Rs 1-crore bribe to Amruta to ask Fadnavis to help withdraw multiple cases against the alleged bookie, and then using a ‘doctored’ video to try and extort Rs 10 crore from them. It is alleged that just before Amruta complained to the police, the Jaisinghanis sent several videos, voice notes and messages blackmailing her and coercing her to help with the cases.
The number allegedly belonging to Anil Jaisinghani responded on the night of March 6, when the purported meeting took place: “Dear Didiji…Thank you so much for coming despite being unwell. Aniksha told me about this, take care of your health, you are truly a sport at heart. My health is also only getting better as a ray of hope for justice can be seen now. I truly thank you for all this.”
Aniksha was the first to be arrested in the case on March 16, followed by her father on March 19 after a police chase. Jaisinghani claimed in the messages that during the MVA government, the police had reinvestigated two cases against him and were on the verge of filing closure reports as they were “bogus”. However, a senior officer had interfered and things went “upside down”, he alleged.
From the transcripts, the last message by Amruta was on March 15. “I’m meeting her on 20th — Will have discussion with her that day. I’m travelling…”
On February 28, the purported handle of Amruta said: “You only had suggested that I meet Aniksha, so I finally made up my mind & decided to meet. Since you both framed me, you feel I will also do the same but don’t forget every person is different. My mother has always taught me to stand by my values….”
It added: “I wanted to meet because I wanted to know about the cases that I can’t directly ask the police. Secondly, I must also know how are we closing the entire issue. How is it possible without meeting?”