The D.N. Nagar Police have arrested a wanted accused for allegedly cheating a couple of approximately ₹30 lakh by promising them an affordable flat in an SRA building located in Amboli, Andheri. The accused has been identified as Rahul Rajendra Tiwari, who has been remanded to police custody by a court in connection with the case. During the investigation, police found that Mahesh Tiwari and Mahesh Karande had allegedly assisted him in the fraud. Both have now been named as co-accused and are currently absconding.
Police are also investigating whether the trio had similarly cheated other people using the same modus operandi.
According to police, complainant Tayamma Mallesh Dhangar resides in Dhangarwadi area of Andheri, while her husband operates M.T. Mayur Transport. The couple was looking to invest in a residential property in Andheri and had specifically been searching for SRA or MHADA flats.
During this period, through relatives, they came in contact with Rahul Tiwari and Mahesh Karande, who claimed they could arrange low-cost SRA flats for sale. In March 2025, the couple met the accused at a hotel in Goregaon, where they were allegedly assured of a flat at a discounted price.
The deal for the flat was reportedly finalised at ₹45 lakh and notarised documents were prepared following discussions. After the agreement, Tayamma and her husband initially paid ₹10 lakh as a token amount. Subsequently, the accused showed them Flat No. 1604 on the 16th floor of Om Sai SRA Cooperative Housing Society on Kaiser Road in Amboli, Andheri. After liking the flat, the couple decided to purchase it and later paid an additional ₹20.50 lakh in installments towards the deal.
In July 2025, the accused allegedly called the couple for biometric formalities related to the registration process. However, they were later informed that there was a server issue and were sent back. In September, Mahesh Karande was introduced to the couple as the person handling the biometric process for the flat transaction.
A few days later, the three accused allegedly handed over the flat documents and keys to the couple. However, when they visited the property, they found that the flat had been sealed from the outside. Sensing foul play, they approached the SRA office and verified the documents, only to discover that all the papers were fake.
Police said the accused allegedly cheated the couple of ₹30.50 lakh under the pretext of providing an affordable SRA flat. When confronted, the accused reportedly assured the victims that they would either provide another flat or refund the money. However, neither possession of any flat was given nor was the money returned.
Following the fraud, Tayamma Dhangar lodged a complaint with D.N. Nagar Police. After verification, police registered a case against Rahul Tiwari, Mahesh Tiwari and Mahesh Karande for cheating, criminal breach of trust and preparing forged documents related to the SRA flat transaction.
Rahul Tiwari, who had been absconding in the case, was arrested after nearly a month and produced before the court, which subsequently remanded him to police custody.