FIR against developer Tekchandani for duping over 100 investors

Believed to be a former associate of NCP leader Chhagan Bhujbal, the duo had a fallout following which an FIR was registered against Bhujbal in October last year for allegedly threatening Tekchandani. Following this, Bhujbal wrote to CM Ekanth Shinde and deputy CM Devendra Fadnavis saying he suspected that it was Tekchandani who had been “troubling” him on whatsapp. Incidentally, Tekchandani also happens to be the complainant in the FIR that Mumbai Police had registered against actor Ranveer Singh on charges of nudity in July 2022.

Hira Jadhwani (64), a watch repairer from Chembur camp on whose complaint an FIR was registered, said that through his friend Arun Makhijani, he got to know of a project called Hex City/Clan City. It was being developed by Supreme Construction Developers in Taloja, wherein Lalit Sham Tekchandani and Kajal Lalit Tekchandani were both directors in the project. His friend told him he would not need to pay the whole amount together, but in small instalments
Makhijani said the project was ongoing and would be completed by 2017-18. Accordingly, he booked a 1 BHK flat worth Rs 36 lakhs and paid Rs 1 lakh for it. Uptil May 2016, he had paid Rs 16 lakhs. He also took a loan of Rs 25 lakhs from Axis bank, thus eventually paying the Rs 41 lakhs to compensate for other miscellaneous charges, he alleged.

However, Jadhwani said he did not get possession of the flat as promised in 2017, after which the construction at the plot was halted. He also alleged that another friend of his paid Rs 32 lakhs towards the same project and was similarly defrauded. Till date the project is not complete, they alleged.

The complainant further said that 105 persons he knew have invested in the project and all of them have lost money as neither has the building been constructed nor has the money been returned. Based on Jadhwani’s statement, Chembur police registered an FIR against six including the Tekchandani couple, Makhijani and others.

In the second FIR registered at Taloja police station, it is alleged that a total of 160 flat owners were duped of a total of Rs 44.25 crore that they paid towards the project.