Ahmedabad: Close on the heels of cases against Punjabi pop singers Daler Mehndi and Sukhwinder Panchhi for alleged illegal human trafficking, Gujarat police have registered a case of cheating and other offences against noted dancer Mallika Sarabhai on the basis of a complaint by a woman and has begun investigations.

Joint commissioner of Ahmedabad police P C Thakur said an inquiry has been initiated against Sarabhai on the basis of the complaint filed by Manuben Shah that the danseuse allegedly did not refund a portion of the money for taking her along with her troupe to US for performance.

The Naranpura police have registered an offence under sections 420 (cheating), 120 (concealment) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against Mallika Sarabhai, inspector M K Katariya said.

When contacted, Sarabhai said, "Officially I am not aware of any such inquiry, and if at all there is any, I have to say that there is not an iota of truth in it. I have come to know about the inquiry from the press only and have nothing comment until I get the things officially."

She warned of strict legal action "as I have told earlier also that there is no truth in it".

Sarabhai, who is also director of Darpana Academy of Performing Arts in Ahmedabad, had applied for visas for USA and Brazil in December 2002 for her troupe to participate in 'Folklore Arts in World Fest – 2003'. The visas were refused by Consulates General of both the countries

The complainant alleged that Sarabhai has not refunded a portion of the amount collected by her for the troupe's visit.

PTI