Rishi Arothe, the partner of the former team of Indian all -rounders Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya, is in the headlines, but for all wrong reasons. Rishi Arothe played both Hardik Pandya and Krunal Pandya for the Baroda cricket team in the domestic circuit.
Rishi Arotte has been arrested again, this time Inkar Vinayka Rajendra, a resident of Vadodara, is also known as Nikhil in relation to a large stock market investment scam in Hyderabad. He reportedly surprised a resident of Hyderabad for Rs 32 lakh.
Rishi Arota, a former team partner of Hardik Pandya, was arrested for Rs 32 lakh
In particular, Hardik Pandya’s former team partner is the son of former-Baroda cricketer Tushar Arotte. As reported by The Times of India, Rishi and Nikhil were arrested by the Cybercrime Police in Vadodara on Thursday, 18 September and flew to Hyderabad.
ALSO READ: Dunith Vellay fights sorrow like a hero, a day after his father’s death announces the Asia Cup future for Sri Lanka.
He appeared in court on Friday, 19 September and was sent to judicial custody. Investigators revealed that Rishi and Nikhil, with the help of associates, lured the victims using fake social media advertisements, who mimic the prestigious stock brokerage firms.
The victims clicking on these links were added to WhatsApp groups such as Aditya Birla Stock Elite 678 and asked to download a fake trading app. The dashboard of the app incorrectly made profits, while Rishi and Nikhil secretly withdraw the deposit through several bank accounts.
Hyderabad investor lost Rs 32 lakh in shocking stock market scam
This shocking stock market scam has come to light after the resident of Hyderabad was lost for Rs 32 lakh in January 2025. Investigators quickly examined the accounts where it was sent and discovered that the trail was taken directly towards Gujarat.
In the scam, Nikhil supplied six bank accounts to the cyber criminal in exchange for a commission, helping the funnel of stolen funds. And then former cricketer Rishi played an important role by converting money in USDT Cryptocurrency and sending criminals abroad.
Cybercrime DCP, D. Kavitha was told by the Times of India, “There is a criminal record of former cricketer Rishi Tushar, aka Vikrath, among the accused. He was arrested in 2024 from the Gujarat Police nest.
Also also also: KL Rahul to join CSK !! Stephen Fleming leaves no stone unturned
Kavitha further said, “They are involved in 12 similar cases in eight states, including Telangana, Haryana, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Two mobile phones used for fund transfer have been seized.”
Hardik Pandya’s former-Baroda team partner is associated with 12-state fraud network
This is not the first time that the former Baroda cricketer has violated the law. Rishi was first arrested by the Gujarat Police in 2024 for cheating and removing money in another fraud.
Officials claimed that Pandya’s former companions and Nikhil are involved in at least 12 similar cases in eight states, including Telangana, Haryana, Kerala, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal and Maharashtra. Two mobile phones used in fund transfer have also been confiscated.
In particular, Hardik Pandya is currently playing for India in the ongoing Asia Cup 2025, where the team finished the group stage as an unbeaten side. He is now ready to face Pakistan in his first Super Four Clash in Dubai on 21 September, and Hardik is expected to play an important role as an all-rounder.