3 relatives dupe builder of Rs 4.11 cr, sell flats worth Rs 7 cr in fake society scam

Lokmat News Network

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar

A 26-year-old Nashik-based builder has alleged that he was cheated of Rs 4.11 crore in an incomplete housing project at Gut No. 351, Satara area.

The accused allegedly forged signatures of society chairmen and sold flats worth nearly Rs 7 crore to third parties. A case has been registered at the Satara police station on Friday against Pradeep Patil (Kasliwal Marvel, Dishanagari, Beed Bypass) and his relatives brother Pramod Patil and nephew Laukik Patil, both of Amadade, Bhadgaon, Jalgaon.

The complainant, Saurabh Ahire (26), director of Ujwal Properties, Nashik, had approached police commissioner Pravin Pawar. He started his construction business in 2020 using his father's a retired PWD Executive Engineer retirement funds. Through mutual contacts, Ahire was introduced to Pradeep Patil, who presented an 18-building group housing project at Satara as incomplete but approved, claiming authority through a power of attorney from original owner Valmik Nikhade of Ninad Land Developers. Nikhade, however, had died in 2010 rendering the power of attorney void. A notarised agreement was signed on November 13, 2020, for Rs 2 crore, with Rs 10 lakh paid immediately and Rs 40 lakh on December 14, 2020.

-----

Ahire completed 70 to 95 per cent of construction across buildings of New Harshvardhandham, Guru Yoganand, and Swami Raghunandan societies, investing nearly Rs 4 crore. Instead of clearing dues, the accused allegedly sold flats worth Rs 7 crore to third parties and pocketed the money, routing some payments through Pradeep Patil’s brother and nephew. Patil also allegedly projected himself as chairman of multiple societies, signing sale deeds without authority.

-----

No audit, no official record

Patil allegedly conducted society elections without informing the tehsil Registrar of Cooperative Societies, appointed chairmen of his choice, and failed to conduct audits across 10 societies.

------

Over 150 officials affected

Around 15 to 20 police personnel and 100 to 150 government employees paid for flats but never received possession. Most have not lodged complaints due to service constraints, police said. Police sub-inspector Nirmala Rakh is investigating the case further.