11 August,2026 06:10 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
The matter is currently being investigated, and no arrest has been made so far. Representational Pic
Three people were allegedly cheated of over Rs 64 lakh by a man who promised them MHADA flats and a shop at concessional rates in Mumbai, police said on Tuesday.
The matter is currently being investigated, and no arrest has been made so far.
Based on a complaint lodged by one of the victims, an employee of the University of Mumbai, the Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) police registered a case against Survansingh Toofan Singh Patiyal, alias Bunty, an official said, reported PTI.
The complainant and two of his friends were allegedly duped of Rs 64.18 lakh between 2013 and 2025 on the promise of procuring a flat and a shop for them at a concessional rate in the Kurla area, he said.
The official said the accused allegedly showed the victims fake documents to gain their confidence and collected money from them at various locations, including the university canteen, the collector's office and Mantralaya.
During the investigation, police found that Patiyal had no contacts in MHADA or any other government department, he said.
Shivaji Park Police registered a case against two alleged Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) agents and another accused for allegedly cheating a senior citizen couple of '29 lakh on the promise of allotting them an MHADA flat in the redeveloped Century Mill compound at Prabhadevi.
The accused have been identified as Kinnari Thakur, Anil D Agawane and Nagdev Bhargav Rane.
According to the complaint filed by a 66-year-old retired Bank of Baroda employee, he and his wife came in contact with Thakur through an acquaintance in late 2020. Thakur allegedly claimed she could secure them an MHADA flat in the Century Mill redevelopment project, while Agawane was introduced as her associate.
The couple was later taken to the MHADA office in Bandra East, where they met Rane, who was introduced to them as a MHADA official. Rane assured them their application would be processed, strengthening their confidence in the other two accused. Believing the assurances, the couple allegedly paid '29 lakh through cheques and RTGS transfers between November 25, 2020 and January 8, 2023.
A police officer told mid-day, "The accused allegedly executed documents, including a notarised memorandum of understanding and application forms, to make the allotment process appear genuine." They later cited delays due to the COVID-19 pandemic and elections, repeatedly assuring the couple they would either get possession of the flat or a refund.
When the flat was not allotted, the accused allegedly issued four post-dated cheques towards repayment. However, all were dishonoured after "stop payment" instructions were issued. Despite further assurances over WhatsApp, the complainants alleged they neither received the flat nor their money back.
Shivaji Park Police booked all three accused for allegedly conspiring to cheat the couple. Further investigation is underway.
(With PTI inputs)
