A 44-year-old social worker from Parel was allegedly cheated of Rs 10 lakh by four men who posed as MHADA agents and promised her family a flat in Dadar West. Bhoiwada police have registered a cheating case against the accused.
House hunt
Complainant Payal Khare lives in Parel with her husband and two daughters. The family had been looking for a bigger home since 2021. Through an acquaintance, they met accused Sanjay Pawar, who allegedly claimed he could arrange an MHADA flat and introduced Vikas Bhave and Jagdish Bhagat as MHADA agents.
False promise
The trio allegedly claimed they could secure flats through a MHADA “master file” process and showed documents to gain trust. After learning the family’s budget was around Rs 45 lakh, they allegedly offered a 400 sq ft flat in Bliss Casa Society near Kabutarkhana in Dadar West. To further convince the family, the accused allegedly took them to the building and pointed out the flat they claimed was available for purchase.
Money trail
The accused allegedly sought a Rs 10 lakh token amount. The family first paid Rs 1 lakh in cash and later handed over cheques worth Rs 9 lakh in the names of Bhagat, Bhave, and Mokashi. An agreement was executed, and the family was promised possession within 45 days.
Police probe
The flat was never handed over, and the accused allegedly kept giving excuses. When the family demanded a refund, one accused allegedly threatened them, claiming political connections. Khare, in her statement to police, said, “We spent lots of time following up with the accused, but nothing happened.”
After years of follow-up, Khare approached Bhoiwada police. An FIR was registered on Tuesday against all four accused. According to police sources, Pawar previously had a similar case registered against him. No arrests have been made, and investigations are underway.
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