Economic Offences Wing Closes Rs 67.5 Crore Redevelopment Cheating Case in Mumbai
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai police has closed a Rs 67.50 crore cheating case against Kamala Mills owner Ramesh Govani. The EOW has filed a 'B' summary report in the metropolitan magistrate court, stating that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations made by the complainant, Sujit Arora.
Arora had alleged that Govani took his land for redevelopment and promised to pay him Rs 20 crore along with commercial properties and flats, amounting to a total of Rs 67.50 crore. However, neither the payment nor the promised properties were provided. The case was registered on July 9, 2024, under IPC sections of cheating, forgery, and breach of trust. Govani, a director of Amikrupa Land Developers Pvt Ltd, was arrested on July 10, 2024, and was subsequently released on bail a few weeks after his arrest.
Govani allegedly got the complainant to sign a conveyance deed by promising compensation for the land but later registered the deed in July 2014 without making the promised payment and claimed ownership of the property. The complaint further alleged that Govani later assured the complainant that he would be given 10 flats and one commercial unit in the redevelopment project. However, seven flats were allegedly sold to third parties, and two were mortgaged to a finance company, causing an alleged loss of Rs 67.50 crore to the complainant. Arora alleged that Govani ignored repeated demands for payments, which prompted him to file a police complaint.
During the investigation, the EOW verified various documents, including statements of witnesses, bank records, and a Deed of Cancellation dated March 29, 2017. The investigation also examined an affidavit filed by the complainant before the Bombay High Court in April 2023. Police stated that the complainant had not disclosed the cancellation deed while lodging the FIR and had provided incomplete information. Based on the available evidence, investigators concluded that no concrete or admissible proof was found to establish criminal intent against Govani and others.
The closure of this high-profile case highlights the importance of thorough and transparent investigations in complex financial and property disputes. It also underscores the need for complainants to provide complete and accurate information to the authorities to ensure a fair and just outcome.
