Audit Scope
Examination of Desai & Associates client settlement accounts for the period January–March 2025. Initiated following recovery of handwritten desk note (E09) referencing account HDFC 4421. Cross-referenced with firm's designated client account statements obtained under court order dated 9 March 2025.
Suspicious Transaction — Summary
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Transaction Date | 28 February 2025 |
| Transaction Reference | DA/CS/2025/118/DISB-001 |
| Description on Record | "Client Settlement Disbursement — Matter No. DA-2024-118" |
| Debit Account | Desai & Associates — Designated Client Account, HDFC Bank Pune (Senapati Bapat Road Branch) |
| Credit Account | RM Consultancy Services — HDFC Bank Account Ending 4421 |
| Amount Transferred | ₹18,00,000 (Rupees Eighteen Lakh) |
| Authorisation on File | Physical disbursement authorisation form — signed "Vikram Desai, Senior Partner" — dated 27 February 2025 |
Account Registration — RM Consultancy Services
| Field | Details |
|---|
| Account Name | RM Consultancy Services |
| Account Number (last 4) | 4421 |
| Bank | HDFC Bank — Kothrud Branch, Pune |
| Account Type | Current Account |
| Sole Signatory | Reena Mehrotra — PAN: AXXPM5XXXX (redacted per court order) |
| Company Registration | RM Consultancy Services — CIN: U74999MH2023PTC384XXX · Registered: 12 August 2023, Maharashtra ROC |
| Declared Activity | "Management Consulting" — no tax filings on record for FY 2023–24 |
Matter No. DA-2024-118 — Background
Matter DA-2024-118 is a civil dispute — property division between two parties — in which Desai & Associates represented one party. A settlement was reached in January 2025. Total settlement funds held in client account: ₹42,00,000. Legitimate disbursements to the client (two tranches) total ₹24,00,000. The ₹18,00,000 transfer to RM Consultancy Services on 28 February 2025 has no corresponding client instruction, court order, or fee note. The firm's fee for Matter DA-2024-118, per engagement letter, was ₹3,20,000 — already drawn separately.
Investigator Flags
FLAG 1 — Unauthorised Disbursement: No client instruction exists directing funds to RM Consultancy Services. The client whose matter is referenced has confirmed in writing to the Economic Offences Wing that they did not authorise or receive this payment.
FLAG 2 — Signature Authenticity: The disbursement authorisation bears the signature of Vikram Desai. Handwriting comparison against authenticated specimens has been commissioned. Report is available in Pack C (E15).
FLAG 3 — Beneficiary Identity: RM Consultancy Services is a shell entity registered in Reena Mehrotra's name. The account received ₹18 lakh from a client fund she had signatory access to as a firm partner — but did not have authority to direct independently.