Airoli residents harassed by bank, builder

Residents allege builder took loans to book flats in fake names; now the bank has put up their flats for auction

Residents allege builder took loans to book flats in fake names; now the bank has put up their flats for auction

The residents of Gajanan Society in Airoli, Navi Mumbai, are up against Dena Bank which has allegedly put their flats up for auction. The residents allege that Jaywant Vital Patil, the builder, has taken loans from Dena Bank to buy 14 flats under fake names and has sold these flats to some of the residents, who are now worried whether they will be rendered homeless. The builder remained unavailable for comment, but residents tell us that they are already caught in another legal battle with the builder for selling a single flat to more than two people. Bank officials refused to comment, when Sunday MiD DAY contacted them.

Gajanan Society in Airoli, Navi Mumbai

Residents say that they had booked their flats while the building was under construction, and that they moved into their flats in 2007. The building currently has 45 flats and six shops. Residents allege that the builder has indulged in fraudulent sales for 19 flats and three shops.

On September 26, Dena Bank issued a notice to Daulat M Sonawane that his flat would be auctioned on October 3. Sonawane says, "More than 10 people have come down to see my flat, but when we show the original documents they have no other option but to leave." Says another resident Sheetal R Mahtre, "We've been living here for the past two years and not a single person from Dena Bank came to enquire."

Rajan Chauhan, whose flat is under the name of three registrations, says, "Where will we go if the bank forcefully evicts us? The police refused to file an FIR for one year."

Bank Loan Scam
Sunday MiD DAY earlier reported (September 20) on how Mira Road and Andheri residents were delivered vacancy notices from banks on loans they had never taken.