Developer booked for cheating homebuyers of ` 35 lakh

The Khandeshwar police have booked a real estate developer for allegedly cheating several homebuyers of Rs35 lakh after promising flats in an upcoming building.

According to the police, the accused had told the victims that he was constructing a building at New Panvel and flats are available at a cheaper rate.

He took Rs 3 lakh to 6 lakh from each of the homebuyers for booking the flats. “Since January 21, 2012, the accused had taken money from the victims in several instalments. However, as promised earlier, he could not hand over even a single flat to any of them in due time,” said a police officer from Khandeshwar police station.

“Even after four years, when the victims did not get possession of the flats, they started enquiring about it. However, the responses from the accused were not satisfactory. He stopped answering phone calls,” he added.

Some of the victims approached t he police on Wednesday and registered an FIR against the accused.

“We have registered a case under section 420 (punishment for cheating) of the IPC and sections 3 and 13 of Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act,” said a police officer said.