Mumbai: A 63-year-old pharmaceuticals export manager, R Subramaniam Swami, was duped of Rs 56.5 lakh by an estate agent, Dharmendra Thakur, who claimed to sell a 35-acre land. The agent has been booked by the Aarey police for cheating. Thakur allegedly did not transfer the ownership of the said plot after accepting the payment.
The complainant said Thakur offered to sell him the land at Thane for Rs71 lakh, but after the signing the agreement for purchase in 2008, Thakur did not transfer the ownership to Swami even after taking the money. According to police, Swami, a social worker, had got in touch with Thakur through the complainant’s brother.
Thakur soon offered a handsome deal to Swami in 2008, saying he had a 35-acre piece of land at Thane, which he wanted to sell. Swami, who was also looking for a plot to expand the operations of his welfare trust, said he was interested in purchasing it. “The land was worth Rs71 lakh and Swami agreed to pay the amount in installments. The duo signed the MOU and Thakur’s wife was made a witness.
Swami gradually paid Rs56 lakh via cheques and Real Time Gross Payment (RTGS) mode,” said a police officer. Whenever Swami, gave his installment, Thakur received a receipt. With the passage of time, Thakur began avoiding Swami and was refusing to transfer the property on his name. “Thakur used to say he is yet to deliver the payment to the actual land owners.
One day, he told Swami the land actually belonged to the tribal groups and if Swami wanted possession, he would have to pay Rs20 lakh more. After being convinced he was duped, this week, Swami lodged a case against Thakur. We have registered a case under sections 34 and 420, IPC. Further probe is underway,” the officer added.
