The Maharashtra Lokayukta has admitted a complaint alleging a monetary scam involving fraudulent acquisition of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) worth Rs 55 crore by Green Garden Apartment Co-operative Housing Society Ltd., located on W.T. Patil Marg in Chembur. The complaint accuses society office bearers, revenue officials, and Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officers of alleged collusion, forgery, embezzlement, and money laundering.
The complaint, filed by Kamal Krishan Chopra, a member of the society, claims that the society fraudulently claimed compensation in the form of TDR for land that was never acquired by the government. Despite the society still holding ownership of the entire 26,285 sq. mtr. land parcel (as per registered conveyance and property records), the office bearers allegedly manipulated revenue documents to falsely show that 7,284 sq. mtrs of land had been acquired for road widening decades ago.
According to Chopra, the allegedly fraudulent claim was initially rejected by the BMC in 2022. However, in August 2023, the same claim was surprisingly approved, resulting in TDR worth Rs 55 crore being sanctioned and subsequently sold on the open market. The society received Rs 46 crore as per its 2023–24 audited financials.
A large portion of the money—Rs 20.38 crore—was allegedly siphoned off under the guise of “consultancy fees” paid to two firms: JP Nestor and NV Consultants. One of these firms is allegedly linked to the society’s chairman, Mr. Nitin Chaudhari, raising serious conflict of interest concerns.
The complaint also names several senior members of the Managing Committee accusing them of forging society resolutions, misleading members, and falsifying audit and tax filings.
In response, the society’s legal team has dismissed the complaint as baseless and lacking locus standi. They argue that all actions were carried out transparently and under legal guidance, and pointed out that the society had challenged the inquiries initiated by the Co-operative Department through a revision application before the Minister of Cooperation. That application, however, was eventually withdrawn, and the matter has now been escalated to the Bombay High Court.
Despite the society’s defence, the Lokayukta has found sufficient prima facie merit in the allegations to proceed with an inquiry. The complaint alleges violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act, and various provisions of the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act.
The Lokayukta is expected to issue notices and summon relevant parties for hearings in the coming weeks.
