MAN, 64, DUPED OF ₹26 LAKH IN HOUSING SCAM

MUMBAI: A senior citizen was duped of ₹26 lakh in an alleged housing scam by two people who offered him two Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) flats for prices cheaper than the market rate.

The complainant, Sakharam Joshi, 64, had been paying the amount in instalments for the flats since the past four years. After he did not get the promised flats, he approached the Deonar police. Joshi, a resident of Govandi, wanted to buy a Mhada flat. He approached his colleague from the civic body, who is also one of the accused in the case. “When Joshi retired in 2014, the accused introduced him to a man, who is another accused in the case,” said a police officer.

The accused lured him into paying money in instalments for residential properties at Gavanpada in Mulund (East) and Tilak Nagar in Chembur, where Mhada have projects for affordable housing. “The complainant was convinced that he got the flat but was shocked on learning that someone else had occupied it,” the police officer said.

Joshi contacted the accused, who stated the officials made some mistake and offered him another flat at Gavanpada in Mulund. “The assurances were false and Joshi was never given any flat and the money was not returned,” said the officer.

Pradeep Kadam, senior police inspector, Deonar police station, said, “The complainant lost his provident fund money.” The Deonar police station has registered a case under sections 420 (cheating) and 406 (criminal breach of trust) of the IPC.