LUDHIANA: Police have booked a realtor and his 10 accomplices for allegedly defrauding a coloniser of over Rs 7 crore under the pretext of property investment. Despite receiving the money, the accused failed to complete the registry, prompting an investigation and subsequent FIR by Sarabha Nagar police.
The case was registered based on a complaint by Pradeep Kumar, a resident of Janpath Vila in village Jhammat. The primary accused has been identified as Meetinder Singh Mann, a resident of Sector 28, Chandigarh, along with accomplices Daljit Singh, Kasturi Lal, Harmeet Singh, Rajwant Kaur, Kuldeep Kaur, Surinder Kaur, Harpreet Kaur, Manjit Kaur, and Gurdeep Kaur. Pradeep Kumar, an authorised representative of a Ludhiana-based real estate and infrastructure development company, stated that the firm sought to invest in Mohali and the New Chandigarh area. Mann, introducing himself as a well-connected realtor, claimed he could facilitate land acquisition in Mullanpur Gareeb Das, Mohali. Trusting his credentials, the company authorised him to act on its behalf.
Between April and September 2022, the company transferred Rs 7.61 crore to Mann’s account, expecting the funds to be used for purchasing land from several individuals, including Daljeet Singh, Kasturi Lal, Rajwant Kaur, Bhupinder Singh, Kuldeep Kaur, Surinder Kaur, Gurdeep Katin, Baljinder Singh, Harmit Singh, Harpreet Kaur, and Manjeet Kaur. Mann allegedly provided copies of various sale agreements to build trust and ensure continued payments. However, despite receiving over Rs 7 crore, he failed to complete the land registry.
ASI Umesh Kumar of Sarabha Nagar police station confirmed that Pradeep Kumar filed a complaint on August 20, 2024, leading to a police inquiry. After verifying the claims, an FIR was registered against the accused under sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating), and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). Police stated that further investigation is underway to gather additional evidence and track down the accused.
