Creditor’s Involvement to Be Investigated in the Tragic Death Case of Art Director Nitin Desai, Announces Devendra Fadnavis

Role of Private Lending Firm to be Probed in Nitin Desai’s Death Case, Says Devendra Fadnavis

Mumbai: A day after renowned art director Nitin Desai was found dead, Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday said the role a private lending firm, from which Desai had taken loan, would be probed to know whether he was charged high interest and if he was under mental stress.

Preserving or Taking Over N D Studio by the Government

Speaking in the state legislative assembly, Fadnavis who holds the home department, also said legal aspects on how Desai’s N D Studio at Karjat near Mumbai can be preserved or taken over by the government will be examined.

Background

Desai, the creator of lavish sets for films such as “Jodhaa Akbar” and “Lagaan” as well as the popular TV quiz show “Kaun Banega Crorepati”, was found hanging at his studio on Wednesday. Police said it seemed to be a case of suicide and added that the matter was being investigated from all angles.

Loan Troubles

• Desai’s company ND’s Art World Pvt Ltd had borrowed Rs 185 crore through two loans from ECL Finance in 2016 and 2018.
• Troubles with repayments started from January 2020.
• Desai’s company had defaulted on a Rs 252-crore loan to its financial creditor, according to an insolvency petition filed in a bankruptcy court last week.

Demand for Thorough Investigation

BJP MLA Ashish Shelar demanded that Desai’s death should not be treated as a case of accidental death only, but must be dealt with from a larger perspective. He alleged malpractices by the lending firm and urged for a special team to investigate various issues related to Desai’s loan and the company.

Taking Over Desai’s Studio

Congress leader Ashok Chavan said the government should take over Desai’s studio instead of allowing it to be auctioned as a tribute to Nitin Desai.

Assurance from Devendra Fadnavis

In response to the demands, Fadnavis assured a thorough probe into the case. He praised Desai’s contributions and stated that the investigation would also inquire about the role of creditors and whether mental stress played a part in Desai’s death.

Probe into Circumstances Leading to Desai’s Death

BJP MLC Pravin Darekar demanded a probe into the circumstances leading to Desai’s death. He highlighted Desai’s financial troubles and the role of Edelweiss, the finance company. Darekar urged for an investigation into the nature of the loan and the pressure that led Desai to commit suicide.

Support for Investigation

Congress MLC Ashok Jagtap and Shiv Sena MLC Sachin Ahir also supported the demand for an investigation into the finance company and the takeover of Desai’s N D Studio by the government.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)