Vasai-Virar housing scam: Despite crackdown, illegal flats still being sold by real estate agents

Avadh Township in Vasai East is under probe after its papers were found during a raid on the gang’s properties; (right) mid-day’s reports on the scam on August 8, 12, 19; the real estate agents, Salunkhe and her boss Gaikwad. Pics/Hanif Patel

Despite back-to-back reports in mid-day on the Rs 3,000-crore Vasai-Virar housing scam and subsequent crackdown on errant developers by the authorities, real estate agents are brazenly selling flats in buildings built illegally by the gang of five. This reporter found one such agency in Vasai East - Om Enterprises - which had a 1BHK flat for Rs 18 lakh at under-construction Avadh Township. Agents offered to help him secure an 80 per cent to 90 per cent home loan and also promised possession within two-three months.

The Virar police, after busting the scam, raided the properties of mastermind Prashant Patil and his gang in the first week of August and seized counterfeit completion certificate (CC) and other forged property papers. Among these papers were documents of the five buildings at Avadh Township, which is currently being investigated. The Waliv police recently filed an FIR based on a complaint from Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) officials.

Prakash Gaikwad and Natasha Salunkhe

This reporter posed as a buyer and met with the agents of Om Enterprises, who showed him around the property in the Gokhivare area of Evershine City in Vasai East. The agents assured the buildings had MahaRERA registration and claimed that there was a government subsidy of Rs 2.67 lakh under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). They have also posted an advertisement on social media platforms. At the real estate office, which is located opposite Capital Mall in Vasai East, agent Natasha Salunkhe gave quotations for flats - a 1RK was for Rs 14 lakh and a 1BHK flat for Rs 18 lakh, she said.

Also read: Mumbai: Another housing scam, involving 11,500 homes, hangs fire in high court

A building at Avadh Township, at Gokhivare in Vasai East; Om Enterprises, which sells flats in illegal Avadh buildings. Pics/Hanif Patel

Conversation with Salunkhe:
Reporter: Will the agreement be notarised?
Salunkhe: We will do registration at Virar or Vasai registration office.
Reporter: Is this project RERA approved?
Salunkhe: Yes, this building is RERA approved. You will get property papers to check that.
Reporter: Can I avail a loan for this property?
Salunkhe: Yes, you will get a 80%-90% home loan.
Reporter: When will I get possession of the flat?
Agent Salunkhe: You will get possession in 2-3 months.

Their ad found on social media

Salunkhe then sent a co-worker, Dipak Nehra, to show this reporter some flats.
Reporter [to Nehra]: Are all five buildings ready for possession?
Nehra: Yes. But, I recently joined this agency and don't have much knowledge. I take customers on my bike to show them the flats. All dealings are done by the builders, developers and agency people.
Reporter: Are there any problems with these five buildings?
Nehra: Not in my experience of two months. Some people have purchased flats recently.
Reporter: What is the area of the 1RK and 1BHK?
Nehra: 1RK is 405 sqft and 1BHK is 525 sqft.

Both the reporter and Nehra return to the office of Om Enterprises. Salunkhe introduces the reporter to her boss, Prakash Gaikwad, saying that he will finalise the deal.

Rahul Singh, high court advocate from Vasai

Conversation with Gaikwad:
Reporter: I liked one flat
Gaikwad: Do you want 1RK or 1BHK? Most flats have been sold, only a few remain
Reporter: I want a 1RK flat. When will I get possession of the flat?
Gaikwad: You will get possession in 2-3 months. The building is ready, but a few works are pending, including water tanks. You have to make a down payment, then we will do the registration and help you get a loan. How much loan do you need?
Reporter: I will pay Rs 5 lakh in cash.
Reporter: Are Avadh buildings among the 55 illegal buildings?
Gaikwad: The 55-building scam is of Virar area, not of Vasai.
Reporter: Okay, I will come back on Saturday for the paperwork.

Advocate's claims

Rahul Singh, a high court advocate from Vasai, told mid-day he had written a letter to the then VVCMC commissioner in 2016 about the illegal construction of Avadh Township. "But the VVCMC didn't take any action. Police and VVCMC should take action now and save innocent people from being scammed," he said.

‘Will take action'

Senior Inspector Jayraj Ranaware of Waliv police station told mid-day, "We will check about these buildings. We registered the FIR just two days back and the process is underway to take action. We are jointly working with the VVCMC and will take action accordingly."

Although he did not speak on Singh's allegation, VVCMC Commissioner Anil Pawar, on the mid-day investigation, said, "We will investigate this matter and take appropriate action."

So far, the Mira Bhayandar Vasai Virar police (MBVV) have booked 58 builders and said that they are expected to book another 250 builders soon. Police have also circulated a list of developers and builders whose names have emerged in the scam.