FIR against Mira Road resident for post saying will sell flat only to Gujaratis, Jains, Marwadis

The complainant, Govardhan Deshmukh. Pics/Hanif Patel

The police registered an FIR on Sunday against a Mira Road resident for posting an advertisement on Facebook that he wanted to sell his 1 BHK flat in a building that only allows Gujarati, Jain, Marwadi community members. The complainant, who wanted to buy the flat, registered an FIR with the Mira Road police regarding this prejudice. However, the Mira Road police have not yet arrested anyone.

The Mira Road police registered the case against Dedhia under IPC Section 153A (Promoting enmity between different groups on grounds of religion, race, place of birth, residence, language, etc., and doing acts prejudicial to maintenance of harmony). The complainant, Govardhan Sakharam Deshmukh, 36, is a share trader and has a construction chemicals business at Mira Road. Deshmukh is also the president of the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti. The alleged accused and flat owner is Rahul Dedhia, a resident of Shanti Nagar at Sector-7 at Mira Road East.

‘Shocked to read condition'

Speaking to mid-day, Deshmukh said, "I was planning to purchase 1 BHK flat at Mira Road. While checking on social media I found the Facebook page of a Kandivli West group and a member of this group, Rinku Sangoi Dedhia, had posted about a 1 BHK at Shantinagar at sector-7. However, it was also written that - only Gujarati, Jain, Marwadi communities are allowed in the society. I was shocked after reading this. I saw the post on October 4 and still contacted the given phone numbers."

The ad posted on Facebook by Rinku Sangoi Dedhia

"I called the numbers and Rahul Dedhia answered. I told him I wanted to purchase the flat from him and gave my name. However, Dedhia told me that they are not selling flats to Marathi people and those from the Muslim, Christian and other communities, and this is according to society rules. In the society only Gujarati, Jain, Marwadi people are allowed to purchase flats, and he would not be able to sell his flat to me as I am a Maharashtrian. He disconnected the call. These people are hurting communities. All communities are equal and all people have equal rights. I complained to the police and registered the FIR."

‘We will apologise'

When called, a woman from the Dedhia family who didn't want to be identified said, "It was a mistake to posted this advertisement on social media. We don't want to sell our flat now. We also apologize for this. We will also apologise to Deshmukh."

Senior Inspector Jitendra Vankoti of Mira Road police station said, "We have registered the case under section IPC 153A. We served a notice to the accused according to Supreme Court guidelines. We have not arrested anyone in this case. We will call the accused for statement and after investigation take necessary action."