Mumbai: A 57-year-old employee of the BMC Solid Waste Management Department (G-South Ward) was allegedly duped of Rs 69 lakh in a fake rehabilitation housing scheme involving forged documents and false promises of a flat in a Rehab Tower in exchange for two huts.
Five Accused Named in FIR
The Tardeo police have registered a case against five individuals, including estate agent Abdul Aziz Rafiq Sheikh alias Ajju, Javed Jainul Arab, Madhukar Gagaram Lahane, Naushad Ali Chaudhary, and Ayesha Abdul Aziz Sheikh, the wife of Abdul Sheikh.
According to the FIR, the complainant, Vinod Walji Helia, a resident of Tulshiwadi in Tardeo, was approached in July 2021 by agents Abdul Sheikh and Javed Arab. They promised that a hut located at DMU 181 on Approach Road, owned by Madhukar Lahane, would be exchanged for a flat in Rehab Tower within eight days.
Promise of Rehab Tower Flat Turns Sour
On August 3, 2021, a notarized sale deed was executed at the Bhoiwada Court to complete the transaction. Based on the agents’ assurance, Helia paid Rs39 lakh — partly in cash and bank transfers — to Lahane. However, he was never given possession of the hut, nor the promised flat.
Instead, the estate agents provided Helia with temporary accommodation at a transit camp in Tulshiwadi, Tardeo. Even after one and a half years, the promised flat in Rehab Tower was not handed over. Subsequent inquiries revealed that the documents provided for the hut were fake. When confronted, the accused kept giving evasive answers.
In desperation, Helia posted about the alleged fraud on social media. Alarmed by the post, Abdul Sheikh — through another agent, Naushad Chaudhary — handed over the keys to Room No. 1703 in Shri Siddhivinayak Co-operative Housing Society. But original documents linked to the corresponding hut (DMU 173) were not provided.
Second Payment Ends in More Deceit
Days later, Naushad Chaudhary allegedly threatened Helia and his family, accusing them of forcibly occupying the flat and warning of legal consequences. The accused further pressured Helia to buy the hut related to DMU 173 and even assured him that the room would be transferred to his elder son, Vishal Helia, through the society and a notarized immunity affidavit.
Trusting them again, Helia paid Rs 30 lakh in cash to Sultana Abdul Rahim Sheikh, the supposed owner of the second hut. Yet again, original documents were withheld.
After realizing the entire deal was a scam, Helia approached the Tardeo Police and lodged a formal complaint. The police have registered a case under Sections 420 and 34 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and further investigation is underway.
