Man accused of selling flats twice

Mumbai: The MIDC police has registered a case of cheating against a suburban developer who allegedly sold flats twice, first to the complainant and then to a second buyer, giving the latter possession. When confronted, the accused allegedly conspired with the second owner and concocted a fake story to cover his tracks. The accused gave the complainant receipts of payments made but at the time of drafting the agreement, did so in the name of the second owner. The police said it is gathering evidence following which the accused can be arrested.

When The Asian Age tried contacting the firm of the developer accused of cheating, it could not be reached despite various attempts. According to the complainant, Hemant Gupta (57), a resident of Andheri’s Sher-e-Punjab Society, he had paid Rs 80 lakh for two flats (211 and 214) in a building that would be constructed on a plot in Sher-e-Punjab Colony.

Mr Gupta and Biju Penkar, father of the owner of the two flats, entered a verbal contract stating that since the latter was in monetary distress, he was selling the flats to Mr Gupta. Soon after the verbal contract, Mr Penkar set up a meeting with the developer who would construct the building and asked Mr Gupta to pay the token amount and transfer fees to acquire rights of the flats.

Eight years after the verbal contract and the exchange of money and receipts, much to his shock, Mr Gupta found that the two flats had been sold to two persons, Manoj Gupta and Gangaram Patel.

Upon confrontation, the developer denied having made any verbal contract with or given any receipts to Mr Gupta and said that the sale agreement had been made in the name of the two said owners. Mr Gupta then approached the MIDC police and registered a formal complaint in the case. The police officer investigating the case said that the facts and paperwork were being verified, following which appropriate action would be taken.