The developer of the project – Savana – promised Jawale that the money would be in her account by June 2017.
Three years ago, Sujata Jawale booked a flat in a Kanjurmarg project, only to be hit by financial difficulties within months following the death of her husband. She went to the builder asking him to cancel the deal and refund the Rs 16 lakh that she had paid. The developer of the project – Savana – promised Jawale that the money would be in her account by June 2017.
"It's June 2018 and I'm yet to receive my money," Jawale told DNA on Tuesday.
Jawale was part of a group of over 600 home buyers who were at Azad Maidan to protest against the builder – JVPD Properties Pvt Ltd, alias Jaycee Homes. The company is accused of duping nearly 2,500 homebuyers and investors in four projects across the city.
The victims demanded that either they be given their money, or homes. They also urged the government to fast-track the probe against the builder by the Economic Offence Wing of Mumbai police.
Jawale, who stays in Bhandup's Maharashtra Nagar, said she needs the money as that's all she has now. For cancer survivor Anita Gupta, who claims to have paid Rs 18 lakh for a flat, it has been nothing less than torture. "The builder had promised us possession by 2018-19, but even the foundation hasn't be laid so far. We have suffered a lot because of my health and we do not wish to suffer more."
Parag Manere, deputy commissioner of police of EOW said they have engaged a forensic auditor to track the money trail. "A special public prosecutor is being appointed for these cases, while one of the accused Diipesh Bhagtani is already behind bars."
Two more accused are out of the country and the agency is getting details on them, said Manere. "Many home buyers have filed a civil suit in the case. The investigation is on the right track and moving fast."
IT professional Rashid Khan is another victim of the Bhagtanis. He had booked a flat in the building Riyo in Mira Road, six years ago, and paid Rs 8.75 lakh and since then he is waiting for the flat. "The developer had said he would return the money with 15 per cent interest if he doesn't start construction. In 2014, I was told the approvals were in process, and since then I am stuck. I was promised online transfer of my money but nothing happened. With interest, the amount due is Rs 15 lakh."
There were many protesters holding placards demanding immediate action, One such victim was Manoj Mistry, a resident of Virar he in 2013, paid Rs 11.31 lakh, for 2 BHK, in the Mira Road project. "It was a pre-launch, and he showed us the land, gave the usual excuse for the delay that he kept on giving was permissions are in process. He also kept on saying that his partner's health wasn't in good shape, and kept on dilly-dallying he had promised us that he will be giving 15 per cent interest too, but nothing of that sort has materialised."
The developer Diipesh Bhagtani had even met some of his customers last year and held a public meeting in Bandra. Later, he surrendered to the police and since then the home buyers have been fighting the cases at several forums including MahaRERA.
FUTURE TENSE
- One of the accused builders is behind bars, while others are out of the country
- EOW is probing case, has engaged forensic auditor
- Advocate Sanjay Chaturvedi said victims can move forums like MahaRERA and court, but it may take time
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