Builder held for cheating homebuyers to tune of lakhs

Mumbai: The Mira Road police has arrested a 57-year-old builder for allegedly taking advances of more than Rs 1.21 crore from homebuyers, and failing to deliver apartments within the stipulated time frame. 

According to the police, the builder, identified as Uday Mathuradas Sampat (57), a resident of Kandivali, was apprehended from his office at Mira Road late night 

Thursday and booked under relevant sections of the Maharashtra Owne-rship Flats (Regulation of the promotion of construction, sale, management and transfer) Act and forgery sections of the Indian Penal Code.

The action came after a 44-year-old woman registered a complaint against the builder for promising her a fifth-floor apartment in his upcoming construction project, Dhwani Towers, after accepting Rs 237,900 as first installment towards the total flat cost of Rs 16.20 lakh in 2009, but failing to fulfil the commitment. 

Investigations revealed that despite having clearances up to four floors, the builder went on to book flats on higher floors.

Senior police inspector, Vasant Labdhe, who has appealed other victims to register their complaints, said, “We have arrested the builder. So far, 11 people who have  fallen prey have registered complaints, but the numbers could be much higher.”