The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has launched an investigation into an alleged fraud of more than Rs 121 crore following a complaint by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). The case involves several developers who are accused of failing to pay rent for transit tenements allotted to them on a rental basis over many years.
The complaint was filed by Mohan Raosaheb Bobde, Deputy Chief Officer (Transit Tenements) at the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board of MHADA. Based on the complaint, an FIR has been registered at Kherwadi Police Station under Section 420 of the Indian Penal Code for alleged cheating.
According to officials, the accused developers include companies and individuals such as 9M Infrastructure Pvt Ltd, Nakhwa and Jasol Developers LLP, Pradeep Gora Gandhi, J K Builders, Alhamd Developers, Vardhman Developers, Uditi Premises Pvt Ltd, Sanghvi Premises Pvt Ltd, R R Builders, Hare Krishna Builders and Developers, along with other unidentified persons.
Police said that between 1996 and 2021, MHADA had allotted transit tenements to these developers through lease agreements, no-objection certificates and other official approvals. The units were provided on a rental basis as part of redevelopment arrangements.
Investigators allege that the developers initially paid rent for a certain period, which helped them gain the trust of the housing authority. However, they later allegedly stopped paying rent and violated the terms and conditions mentioned in the agreements for the use of the transit tenements.
As a result of the alleged non-payment, MHADA reportedly suffered a financial loss amounting to Rs 121,00,53,105, which the complainant has described as a case of cheating.
The offence is linked to MHADA’s office located at Grihanirman Bhavan, Kala Nagar, Bandra (East). Officials confirmed that no arrests have been made so far in connection with the case.
The investigation is currently being handled by EOW officer Atul Nikam, and authorities said further inquiries are underway to determine the full extent of the alleged fraud.
Source: The Free Press Journal
