Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Nov 27: In a major development in the alleged Rs 1.01 crore Apple iPhone 16 procurement cheating case, the MRA Marg police on Tuesday arrested Mrityunjay Prasad Gupta, CEO of Consolidated Private Limited, the company that operates the well-known Apple retailer Maple. The arrest was made in Bengaluru, following weeks of investigation.

Gupta, accused of orchestrating financial deception and misleading business claims, was produced before the Mazgaon court and subsequently remanded to judicial custody.

Police told the court that Gupta, being responsible for key operational and financial decisions, allegedly exploited his position to facilitate the cheating. Investigators stated that he provided false assurances, diverted funds meant for procurement, and caused substantial financial losses to the complainants.

Gupta is the fourth person arrested in the case. Earlier, the police had taken into custody Sanjay Pradhan (61), a commission agent; Ibrahim Ansari, manager of a Maple store; and Deven Devda.

The case originated from a complaint filed by Imran Merchant, a mobile phone trader, who was offered Apple iPhone 16 units at Rs 68,000 each through an alleged source within Maple — a reputable Apple retail chain. Merchant later realised he had been duped, prompting the police to register a case and initiate the probe.