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Bharat Shah convicted under IPC by special court
MUMBAI: Film financier Bharat Shah, formerly co promoter of B4U Entertainment, has been convicted under the Indian Penal Code by a special court “for conniving with the underworld and targeting Bollywood personalities for personal gain.”
The flamboyant Shah, last spotted by the media at filmstar Karisma Kapoor’s wedding in Mumbai yesterday, was found guilty under section 118 IPC (concealing design to facilitate crime) read with 387 IPC (extortion), says a PTI report.
However, the court acquitted him of the charges under Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA) due to `doubtful evidence but convicted him on other counts. The judge gave Shah the benefit of doubt as the ‘panchnama’ (a certificate signed by five persons) drawn by police to record the alleged telephonic talk between him and Shakeel on October 27, 2000, was “doubtful”, according to agency reports.
Shah was convicted along with producer Nasim Rizvi and his assistant Abdul Rahim Allah Baksh.
Justice AP Bhangale acquitted co-accused and Dubai-based businessman Mohammed Shamshuddin alias Bhatija of the charges for lack of evidence. The court will decide on the quantum of punishment after hearing all parties tomorrow, says the PTI report.
Both Shah and Rizvi were first arrested in January 2001 for their alleged links with underworld don Chhota Shakeel in the production of the Bollywood potboiler Chori Chori Chupke Chupke and conspiring with him to kill film personalities. Shah was the financier of the film. Shah has been disassociated with B4U ever since.
While B4U was initially floated by Shah, industrialist Kishore Lulla and UK based steel magnate Lakshmi N Mittal, Mittal had withdrawn his stake from the entertainment network after Shah’s arrest in 2001.
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Rising Bharat Summit 2026 spotlights India’s global ascent
PM Modi keynotes two-day event with ministers, diplomats and icons in New Delhi.
MUMBAI: India didn’t just host a summit, it threw a coming-out party for a nation ready to own the global stage. The News18 Rising Bharat Summit 2026, held on 27–28 February in New Delhi, emerged as a high-octane platform for ideas, vision and strategic dialogue, uniting national leadership, global policymakers, industry titans, defence strategists and cultural icons under the theme “Strength Within”.
Prime minister Narendra Modi set the tone with a keynote that framed India’s resurgence as a reclaiming of lost potential built over generations. “In previous industrial revolutions, India and the Global South were merely followers,” he said. “But in the era of Artificial Intelligence, India is a partner in decisions and shaping them.” He highlighted the country’s thriving AI startup ecosystem and the recent AI Impact Summit attended by over 100 nations.
Union minister Piyush Goyal (Commerce & Industry) stressed India’s readiness to scale exports and deepen manufacturing, while Ashwini Vaishnaw (Railways, I&B, Electronics & IT) positioned technology and infrastructure as twin engines of growth, especially in AI and digital trust. Jyotiraditya Scindia (Communications & North East Development) revealed India’s ambition to lead in 6G through the Bharat 6G Alliance and partnerships with over 30 countries.
Global voices added depth: former Singapore Foreign Minister George Yeo called India’s development “self-sustaining” and strategically vital; ex-UK Chief of Defence Staff General Sir Nick Carter asserted India deserves a seat at the great powers’ table; and former US Commerce Secretary Carlos M. Gutierrez joined ambassadors from Norway, Germany and Sweden in discussions on geopolitical realignment, sustainability and defence preparedness.
Other speakers included veteran investor Ramesh Damani, World Gold Council CEO David Tait, Vianai Systems founder Dr Vishal Sikka, DeepTech Bharat Foundation co-founder Shashi Shekhar Vempati, defence experts Rajesh Kumar Singh, Sunil Ambekar, Patrick McGee, Tom Cooper and Adrian Fontanellaz, plus cultural and sporting icons Kangana Ranaut, Saina Nehwal, PR Sreejesh, Mohammed Shami, Yuzvendra Chahal, Mithali Raj, Anil Kapoor and Yami Gautam.
The summit was supported by Jio Financial Services (Presenting Partner), Phonepe and DS Group (Co-Presenting Partners), Pernod Ricard India and Kia Seltos (Powered By & Driven By), state governments of Uttar Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Uttarakhand (State Partners), and associate partners including NSE, M3M Foundation and Reliance Industries.
Broadcast live across News18 Network, CNBC-TV18 and CNBC Awaaz, the event reinforced India’s image as a confident democracy and emerging global power proving that when strength comes from within, the world can’t help but watch.
