City tycoon Mukesh remanded over sh221m fraud
May 15, 2024
Shukla appeared before Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate, Erias Kakooza today, (May 15, 2024), and denied charges of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Sections 304 and 305 of the Penal Code Act and conspiracy to defraud, contrary to section 309 of the same Act.
City businessman Mukesh Shukla (standing in the dock) at Nakawa Chief Magistrates' Court on charges of obtaining money by false pretences from Alvi Auto Village Limited, pretending that they were leasing two plots of land to it, whereas not. (Credit: Michael Odeng)
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KAMPALA - Mukesh Shukla who contested for the Nakawa West parliament seat, has been remanded to Luzira Prison on allegations of obtaining sh221m from a company by false pretence.
He is battling the charges together with Shumuk Investments Limited manager Judith Ayebare and Shumuk Group of Companies accountant Dharamdip Kadikar. Ayebare and Kadikar did not appear in court.
Shukla appeared before Nakawa Court Chief Magistrate, Erias Kakooza today, (May 15, 2024), and denied charges of obtaining money by false pretences, contrary to Sections 304 and 305 of the Penal Code Act and conspiracy to defraud, contrary to section 309 of the same Act.
Lawyer Badru Bwango seeking information about his client businessman Mukesh Shukla (standing in the dock) at Nakawa Chief Magistrates' Court on May 15, 2024. Shukla is accused of obtaining sh221m by false pretences from Alvi Auto Village Limited, pretending that they were leasing two plots of land to it, whereas not. (All Photos by Michael Odeng)
The offences of obtaining money by false pretences attract a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment, on conviction while conspiracy to defraud elicits a three-year jail term.
A Senior State Attorney from the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), Mariam Kluthum, told court that he had not yet read the voluminous file to ascertain the status of investigations.
“I request for more time to read the file as the parties explore avenues of settling the matter,” she said.
Prosecution alleges that the accused between November 2020 and November 2021 in Banda and Nakawa Industrial Area in Kampala obtained sh221.8m from Alvi Auto Village Limited pretending that they were leasing two plots of land to the company, whereas not.
According to prosecution, the trio conspired by deceit to defraud the company of the money (sh221.8m).
Defence lawyer Badru Bwango told court that his client, Mukesh is committed to paying sh20m as a sign of willingness to reconcile with the complainant.
The businessman returns to court on Friday, this week, for the hearing of his bail application.
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