Mumbai: The Park Site Police have registered a case against Nita Saraikar for allegedly cheating a 30-year-old woman, Poonam Gawand, of Rs 12 lakh under the pretext of securing government housing in Kanjurmarg under the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) scheme.
Ghatkopar Woman Promises MHADA Flats, Cheats Housewife of ₹12 Lakh
According to the police, Saraikar, a resident of Ghatkopar, claimed she could help Gawand acquire two MHADA flats in Karvenagar, Kanjurmarg (East). Gawand, a housewife living in the same locality, was introduced to Saraikar through her neighbor, Shravani Pawar.
On May 10, 2021, Saraikar convinced Gawand that she had strong contacts within MHADA and could secure a flat for Rs 8 lakh. Trusting her assurances, Gawand expressed interest in purchasing two flats. Saraikar demanded Rs 16 lakh in total.
Between May 2021 and the following months, her husband Nitin transferred Rs 13.79 lakh from their Kotak Mahindra Bank account to Saraikar's account. Additionally, on Nitin's request, his friend Tauheed Shaikh transferred Rs 1 lakh from his HDFC Bank account to Saraikar.
Flats Never Materialised, Accused Avoided Contact
However, when the promised flats did not materialize and Saraikar began avoiding communication, the Gawands demanded their money back. Saraikar only returned Rs 2.79 lakh and continued to dodge returning the remaining Rs 12 lakh. Following multiple failed attempts to recover the money, Poonam Gawand filed a complaint at the Park Site Police Station.
FIR Registered Under Section 318(4) of Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
Based on the complaint, police have registered a case under Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) Act, against Saraikar. Further investigation is underway.
