Five individuals, including two prominent developers, have been arrested in Mumbai for allegedly constructing 55 residential buildings under fraudulent permissions, using counterfeit seals from government authorities. Investigations reveal that the accused may have been duping potential homeowners since 2015. Besides the fake seals, fraudulent letterheads from major municipal bodies were also discovered. The full extent of the scam is still being uncovered, but losses to the state could be in crores. As the case progresses, buyers are urged to verify their property's legal standing with local municipalities.
Five individuals, inclusive of two real estate developers, were apprehended in Mumbai’s Vasai region on allegations of erecting 55 residential structures by fraudulently obtaining permissions. It is believed that counterfeit seals of major government bodies such as the Palghar and Thane collectors were used in the deceptive approvals.
Among the detained are Dilip Benvanshi, 31, a known developer affiliated with Rudransh Realtors in Virar, his associate Prashant Patil, 33, real estate intermediary Machindra Vanmane, 37, home financing consultant Dilip Adhkale, 40, and stamp fabricator Rajesh Naik, 54. Preliminary investigations hint at these individuals swindling potential homeowners since 2015.
The meticulousness of the scheme was exposed when authorities discovered that permissions were falsely acquired from the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) by using doctored documents embedded with these fabricated seals. The investigators have since retrieved an astonishing 155 fake seals, encompassing those from Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC) town planning and Mumbai Metropolitan and Regional Development Authority (MMRDA) professionals.
Further compounding the situation, fraudulent letterheads of VVMC and CIDCO have been unearthed. Speculation is rife about the potential involvement of municipal and governmental employees in this extensive scam. Interestingly, Ganesh Patil, the whistle blower in this case and an assistant municipal commissioner, faced suspension recently for unrelated fiscal discrepancies.
The dubious nature of these 55 buildings came to the forefront when Rudransh Apartment, a significant five-story structure with dual wings, was identified as unauthorized and subsequently sealed by VVMC. A shocking revelation was that Benvanshi, the prime accused, was not only involved in selling 40 units within this property but also inhabited one. Despite official sealing, occupants, including Benvanshi, managed to infiltrate and reside again. This series of irregularities led Patil to lodge an official complaint earlier this year.
Recent police raids have unearthed crucial evidence – 55 files detailing prospective buyers, 93 seized seals from Adhkale, 22 spurious rubber stamps linked to Vanmane, along with a vast collection of VVMC and CIDCO letterheads. Authorities also secured the equipment used to craft these deceptive seals.
The perpetrators are currently facing charges under the MRTP Act and MOFA. The extent of the state's financial losses is estimated to be in crores, and the future of the buildings' residents remains uncertain. Civic representatives have emphasized the necessity for homeowners to validate the legal standing of their properties with the municipality.
In conclusion, this mammoth counterfeit construction operation underlines the urgency for rigorous checks within the real estate sector. As authorities delve deeper into the matter, the quest for justice and accountability intensifies.
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