A magistrate has ordered the police to probe allegations of cheating and forgery by a Mumbai-based finance company against Raja Mukherji, brother of actress Rani Mukerji.

Goldmine Ltd has lodged an FIR with the Goregaon police accusing Mukerji of cheating the company to the tune of Rs 35 lakh.

On December 8, a Borivali magistrate ordered the police to probe the charge, under section 156 (3) of the Criminal Procedure Code, and file a report.

The complainant alleged that Mukerji had lured it to enter into a joint venture for producing a television serial for Sahara TV network. Accordingly, Goldmine Ltd parted with Rs 35 lakh and both parties agreed to share the profits equally.

However, the company alleged, Mukerji inflated the accounts and manipulated vouchers thereby committing cheating, forgery and criminal breach of trust.

The company's lawyer Ashok Sarogi told PTI that the police had gone to Mukerji's house to record his statement and question him but the latter could not be traced.