Staff Reporter
In
an effort to bring to book the fraudsters claiming to be ‘agents’ of
Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) Nagpur
Development Board, a top officer himself posed as ‘a person in need of
MHADA housing unit’ and conducted a ‘sting operation’. Following the
‘sting operation’, an offence has been registered against the fraudsters
in Wardha Police Station.
Pradeep Kumar Dange, Deputy Commissioner
(Revenue) and Chief Officer of MHADA Nagpur Board, conducted the ‘sting
operation’ on the evening of Wedneday. “I had received complaints that
some persons were posing as agents of MHADA and were assuring to secure
enrolment for MHADA housing unit. For the purpose, they were collecting
Rs 20,000 per enrolment from gullible persons,” Dange told ‘The
Hitavada’. The accused are associated with Astitva Gram Vikas Sanstha,
which has its office in Bahujan Nagar in Sindi (Meghe) in Wardha
district.
As per the details, Astitva Gram Vikas Sanstha had
collected Rs 20,000 each from at least 15 persons assuring them to
secure enrolment for MHADA housing unit. On receiving a complaint in
this regard, Dange decided to act himself. He obtained cellphone number
of Sudhir Moon, a person associated with Astitva Gram Vikas Sanstha.
Dange ascertained the identity of Moon and his affiliation with the said
organisation. During conversation, Dange said that he wanted to get
enrolled for MHADA housing unit. As expected, Moon asked him to make
payment of Rs 20,000 for the purpose. Moon called Dange to the office of
the organisation.
Accordingly, Dange went to Wardha along with a
clerk. From Wardha, Dange was taken to the office of Astitva Gram Vikas
Sanstha in Bahujan Nagar, Sindi (Meghe). According to Dange, at the
office of the said organisation, three persons were present. These
included Vidya Bhujade Patil, Sudhir Moon, and Bhimrao Naik. The trio
assured Dange that his name would be enrolled for MHADA housing unit in
Wardha that would cost Rs 6.50 lakh. The threesome also assured Dange
that of the total cost, an aid of Rs 3 lakh would be secured from Social
Justice Department. The trio asked Dange to pay the remaining amount in
equal instalments of Rs 2,000 per month, later on. As Dange was posing
as ‘an applicant’, the trio asked him to pay some amount. Dange paid
them Rs 10,000 and got a receipt.
As soon as Dange got receipt, he
revealed his identity. Shocked, the office-bearers of Astitva Gram Vikas
Sanstha started tendering apologies. However, Dange approached Wardha
Police Station, and lodged a complaint against Vidya Bhujade Patil, who
runs Astitva Gram Vikas Sanstha. Based on Dange’s complaint, a case was
registered under relevant provisions of law at Wardha Police Station.
The amount of Rs 10,000 paid by Dange to the accused posing as ‘agents’
and SIM card of his cellphone are with the cops for investigations.
MHADA has no agents: Dange
Pradeep
Kumar Dange, Deputy Commissioner (Revenue) and Chief Officer of MHADA
Nagpur Board, appealed to the people that they should not fall prey to
persons posing as ‘agents’ of MHADA. “I wish to make it clear that MHADA
has no agents at all. MHADA has not outsourced the task of enrolment
for housing unit to any other agency or organisation,” he said. He
appealed to the people, if they have been approached by ‘agents’, to
come forward with details and lodge complaints at MHADA Nagpur Board
office so that appropriate action could be taken against the fraudsters.
(April 17, 2015)
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