PSR Cinema Owner Arrested in Berhampur for Cheating Scam

Berhampur: In a significant crackdown on financial fraud, Berhampur Town Police arrested Rajesh Sharma, proprietor of PSR Cineplex, on charges of cheating a Mumbai-based film equipment supplier out of Rs 39 lakhs.

The arrest, made today, follows an investigation into bounced cheques and deliberate payment evasion, with Sharma now facing multiple counts under the Indian Penal Code.

Sharma (45), son of the late Santosh Sharma and a resident of Hotel Deluxe Lane in Mahulpali under Plant Site Police Station, Rourkela, Sundargarh district, is also the owner of Krisha Holdings.

Police seized key financial documents and his mobile phone during the operation.

The complaint stems from Mumbai businessman Sarju Ramesh Chandra Shah, proprietor of Real Films, a company specializing in advanced sound systems for cinema halls.

In 2022, Real Films entered into an agreement with Sharma to install state-of-the-art 3D sound systems across three screens at PSR Cineplex, located at the Old Bus Stand in Berhampur. The total contract value was Rs 39 lakhs, with installation completed as per specifications.

However, Sharma allegedly failed to honor the payment terms. Multiple cheques issued to Shah were dishonored due to insufficient funds, and efforts to block the transaction through banking channels only escalated the dispute.

Frustrated and out of options, Shah lodged a formal complaint at Berhampur Town Police Station on July 20, 2025.

The instant FIR was registered and investigated in to and the accused is arrested and forwarded to court today, Berhampur SP Dr. Saravana Vivek M said.

Sharma is also involved in another seven cheque bounce cases, he added.