Film producer and Pearl Group of Companies CMD Ronnie Rodrigues has accused a chartered accountancy firm of alleged GST-related irregularities involving several companies within his business group. The allegations, which include claims of forged signatures, unauthorized use of names of former directors and The name which included in Partnership Firm by Kazi and Associates, was never Partner in the Partnership Company and discrepancies in statutory filings, have now reached law enforcement authorities.
The name which included in Partnership Firm by Kazi and Associates, was never Partner in the Partnership Company
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Rodrigues alleged that Imran Abdul Kazi and Javed Abdul Kazi of M/s Kazi & Associates were involved in financial and compliance-related irregularities while handling tax and accounting matters for multiple companies associated with the Pearl Group.
According to Rodrigues, the matter pertains to several entities, including Pearl Business Consultant, PBC Motion Pictures Pvt. Ltd., PBC Education & Financial Services Pvt. Ltd., Cinebuster Magazine Pvt. Ltd., PBC Forex Pvt. Ltd., PBC Interior & Designers Pvt. Ltd., and Pearl Business Consultant Partnership Firm. He alleged that names of directors and partners who had resigned in 2021 and 2023 continued to appear in company and GST records without their knowledge or authorization.
During the press conference, Rodrigues presented documents that he claimed indicated discrepancies in GST compliance and statutory records. His legal counsel, Advocate Sudhakar Mishra, stated that an FIR has been registered in Thane under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. He further informed that a separate complaint has also been submitted to senior officials at Santacruz Police Station and additional legal action is expected.
The controversy has also impacted Rodrigues’ film production plans. The producer had earlier announced the Hindi film “Maine Pyar Kiya Phir Se”, starring actor Arbaaz Khan. The project was launched with a grand muhurat ceremony attended by veteran actor Dharmendra. However, Rodrigues claims that the ongoing financial and compliance issues have delayed the commencement of the film’s shoot.
Speaking to the media, Rodrigues alleged that he discovered the issue only after being approached by a GST official, prompting an internal review of records maintained by the accounting firm. He claimed that the subsequent scrutiny revealed several irregularities related to GST filings and compliance procedures.
According to the complaint filed by Rodrigues, M/s Kazi & Associates had been associated with his group companies since 2013 and was entrusted with responsibilities including statutory compliance, GST filings, income tax matters, audits, and maintenance of financial records. The complaint alleges that copies of several statutory filings and tax returns were not provided to the companies after submission before the authorities.
Police authorities are expected to examine the documents submitted as part of the complaint as the matter proceeds through legal channels. The allegations remain subject to investigation.