MHADA CO does a ‘sting op’, helps book fraudsters


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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