Couple cheats homebuyers of Rs 2 crore by offering cheap MMRDA flats

The accused couple Suresh and Sheela Pawar

A couple has been booked by the Mahim police for cheating people to the tune of at least Rs 2 crore by offering to get them MMRDA houses at cheap prices. The accused couple took money from at least 16 people and gave them fake papers, as per the complaint.

According to the complaint, one of the complainants, Sonia Pawar, who lives in Ghatkopar, was looking to buy a flat in Mumbai when one of her relatives introduced her to Suresh Dattaram Pawar. Suresh told her that he was a ex-government employee and his wife was a government employee, and that they have a name in the real estate sector, thus he can get them flats at cheaper rates. Then Suresh showed Pawar a flat on the second floor of Hill Grange building in Powai. He allegedly also showed her a flat in Kanjurmarg.

A few days later, Pawar went to Suresh's office in Mahim, saying she wanted to buy the Powai flat. The accused told her that the price of the flat was R50 lakh and that Pawar would have to pay 50 per cent advance. Following this, Pawar gave the accused a total of Rs 5 lakh in cash and got a receipt. Suresh also gave her some papers of the house.

However, Pawar was doubtful about the papers and approached Suresh, asking him to return her money. Suresh insisted that the papers were legit, but upon Pawar's insistence, he said he would return the money later citing the lockdown. "The papers given by Suresh Pawar were fake. When I asked for my money, he made an excuse about Covid," Pawar said.

She added, "Meanwhile, I came to know that Suresh, his wife Sheela and their associates have cheated others." The victims got together and approached the Mahim police with the fake documents, following which the investigating officer wrote to MMRDA to check the papers and got confirmation that they were fake. The police registered an FIR in the case.

Advocate Mahendra Nayak, who is representing the 16 victims, said along with fake documents, Suresh had also given fake keys of flats to some people. "Suresh Pawar gave the keys of the flat to one of my clients. When he went to the flat, it was already occupied," he said.

Among other victims are Ramila Mokhra who gave Rs 3 lakh cash and Rs 3 lakh in cheque to the accused. Suresh also took Rs 40.9 lakh from Rakesh Srivastava and Rs 16 lakh from Swapnil Mandal. Senior Inspector Vilas Shinde confirmed to mid-day that no arrest has been made yet.

When contacted, Suresh told mid-day that his wife had nothing to do with this and added, "I have come to Ratnagiri as I have a mango orchard here. I will sell it and return everyone's money." "The accused has sought anticipatory bail from the court and we have opposed his application," a police officer told mid-day.

16
No. of victims who have approached police