The Navi Mumbai land scam investigation has intensified after the Economic Offences Wing expanded its probe into alleged fraudulent plot transactions linked to Ravindra Rohidas Nayak, also known as Rana. Investigators alleged that multiple firms connected to the accused marketed affordable plots near the Navi Mumbai International Airport and proposed a “Third Mumbai” zone before several investors allegedly discovered ownership disputes, incomplete documentation, or cancelled transfers. Police alleged investors were cheated of nearly ₹96.43 lakh through entities including HomeLand Realtors and FNL Realty. Authorities are now examining financial transactions, company registrations, refund assurances, and investor complaints.

Navi Mumbai Land Scam: EOW probes alleged ₹96 lakh fraud linked to alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana

Police and Economic Offences Wing investigators are examining an alleged land fraud network connected to multiple real estate firms accused of collecting lakhs from investors for disputed or incomplete plot transactions near Navi Mumbai.

The Navi Mumbai land scam involving alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana has triggered an expanded Economic Offences Wing investigation into alleged fraudulent land transactions across Uran, Vindhane, Panvel, and nearby developing regions.

According to investigators, alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana and his wife Deepa Ravindra Nayak allegedly operated several real estate entities while marketing affordable plots near the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport and proposed “Third Mumbai” zone.

CBD Belapur police alleged investors were persuaded through advertisements, social media promotions, and direct site visits, but several buyers later discovered cancelled transfers, disputed ownership records, or incomplete registration documentation after making payments.

Police have booked alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana and Deepa Nayak for allegedly cheating investors of nearly ₹96.43 lakh through firms including HomeLand Realtors, FarmNLand Realty, FNL Realty, Alibaug Properties, and Aksheem Agrilands Pvt Ltd.

Investigators suspect the companies were repeatedly renamed and shifted across office locations while continuing land-related operations, allegedly making it difficult for complainants and authorities to trace earlier complaints or transaction histories.

Economic Offences Wing intensifies probe into alleged Navi Mumbai land fraud

The Economic Offences Wing, Belapur, has expanded its investigation into the alleged fraud pattern, focusing on financial transactions, investor complaints, company registrations, and alleged settlement arrangements involving post-dated refund cheques issued to complainants.

Alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana was produced before the CBD Belapur court and remanded to police custody until Tuesday as investigators continued questioning regarding multiple transactions linked to the accused firms.

EOW official Ravindra Vanjari stated that the investigation initially moved slowly because several complainants allegedly hesitated to formally testify after receiving assurances, refund promises, or settlement proposals from the accused individuals.

“Initially, investors were not coming forward to record their statements, likely because of settlement tactics and post-dated cheques allegedly issued by the accused,” Vanjari said while discussing the ongoing investigation.

Authorities now claim larger numbers of complainants are approaching investigators after recognising what police describe as a wider alleged deception involving multiple projects promoted around rapidly developing Navi Mumbai infrastructure corridors and airport-linked regions.

Police sources stated that advertisements circulated during early 2021 promoted affordable plots in the Sarda Uran area, claiming land availability between ₹2.5 lakh and ₹3.5 lakh per guntha for prospective investors.

Investor complaints and statements form the core of the police investigation

Investigators alleged potential buyers were shown farmland parcels near Sai-Panvel and adjoining areas while being informed negotiations with local farmers and landowners had already been completed or were progressing successfully.

One complaint central to the investigation was filed by Sunanda Khatpe, 50, who alleged she paid ₹11.60 lakh for two gunthas in Vindhane before reportedly discovering ownership had shifted elsewhere.

Police are examining whether similar transactions took place across multiple projects allegedly marketed by firms linked to alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana in Uran, Vindhane, and Khopta New Township.

Statements recorded during March 2025 included testimony from Nandkishor Vaman Alhat, who reportedly booked four gunthas in the Sarda Uran area through Homeland Realtors after viewing an advertisement during 2021.

According to investigators, despite allegedly paying ₹10 lakh, the transaction never materialised, following which alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana allegedly issued post-dated cheques and refund assurances to the complainant.

Police records state two post-dated cheques worth ₹10 lakh were allegedly issued for April 2025 and September 2025, alongside assurances regarding refunding ₹2.5 lakh towards registration-related expenses.

Also Read: Nikhil Madan Bhoir Linked to ₹15 Crore Thane Loan Fraud Case.

The earlier Sanpada case raises broader concerns over land verification systems

Separately, Sanpada police registered another cheating case against alleged fraudster Ravindra Rohidas Nayak alias Rana after six investors allegedly lost more than ₹30.09 lakh through transactions connected to Farm N Land operations.

According to police, the Economic Intelligence Cell received information suggesting large-scale alleged irregularities linked to land sales operated from G Square Business Park, Sector 30A, Sanpada, prompting further verification of transactions.

Officials stated several investors allegedly paid substantial amounts after viewing advertised plots, but later found ownership transfers incomplete, delayed indefinitely, or never legally executed despite repeated follow-ups and assurances.

Chartered accountant Viren Dedhia said the matter highlighted systemic loopholes that allegedly allow repeat offenders to continue operating through changing company names, office addresses, and fragmented registration systems lacking unified oversight mechanisms.

Police have urged citizens to independently verify ownership documents, registration records, and legal approvals before purchasing land, particularly in rapidly developing regions surrounding Navi Mumbai International Airport and proposed township projects.

The Economic Offences Wing investigation remains ongoing, with authorities expected to examine additional investor complaints, financial records, and company linkages while determining the broader scale of the alleged land fraud operation.

Previous cases in Navi Mumbai

Navi Mumbai Land Scam: Investor alleges ₹21 lakh fraud against Bhoomi Developers

Sprouts News investigation uncovers alleged irregularities involving disputed land ownership, altered records, and legal restrictions linked to a plot deal in Uran near Navi Mumbai.

A major alleged land fraud case has surfaced in Navi Mumbai, with Bhoomi Developers accused of cheating an investor of ₹21.12 lakh through a disputed land transaction in Vindhane village, Uran, Raigad district.

According to documents reviewed by Sprouts News, the case involves allegations of false ownership claims, misleading property assurances, altered land records, and concealment of crucial legal restrictions linked to Survey Number 183/1.

Tony, whose name has been changed for legal reasons, is a senior manager at a multinational IT company. He was reportedly approached in December 2023 by Bhoomi Developers representative Rais regarding the investment proposal.

Tony was allegedly shown a prime land parcel in Vindhane and assured that the property was legally clear, strategically located, and capable of delivering substantial financial returns because of rapid infrastructure development nearby.

Bhoomi Developers CEO Nivas Rathod allegedly assured the investor that land prices would rise significantly and promised guaranteed profits. Following site visits, Tony agreed to purchase 11 gunthas of land in the project.

Between December 2023 and February 2024, Tony allegedly paid ₹21.12 lakh, nearly 80 per cent of the total agreement amount. However, serious legal complications reportedly emerged before the scheduled registration date on February 27, 2024.

According to the investigation, the land could not legally be transferred because it was protected under the Maharashtra Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948, as referenced in a Maharashtra government gazette notification dated January 1, 2016.

Further scrutiny reportedly revealed that Mumbai SEZ was recorded as the sole owner of Survey Number 183/1 in official government records updated during August 2024, raising questions over the legitimacy of the proposed transaction.

Investigators also identified alleged alterations in the 7/12 land extract, where ownership details were reportedly shifted from Survey Number 183/1 to Survey Number 183/2, making the original agreement legally questionable.

The Sprouts News investigation further alleged that Bhoomi Developers CEO Nivas Rathod never possessed ownership rights over the entire 11-guntha parcel allegedly promised to the investor during negotiations and promotional discussions.

In April 2024, Bhoomi Developers owner Bandu Rathod allegedly acknowledged receiving ₹21.12 lakh from Tony and reportedly assured repayment within six months if the land transaction failed to conclude successfully.

Despite repeated follow-ups, only partial refunds were allegedly made, while approximately ₹15.33 lakh remains unpaid. An FIR was reportedly registered at Sankpada Police Station on January 25, 2025, regarding the dispute.

Investigators were further shocked after discovering allegations that the same plot was sold again to another buyer on January 30, 2025, even after the police complaint had already been officially registered.

Experts have advised buyers in Uran and Panvel to independently verify 7/12 extracts, mutation entries, Index-2 records, ownership history, and seller land shares before entering high-value property transactions linked to emerging infrastructure corridors.

Readers’ Appeal:

Readers planning to invest in land across Uran, Panvel, or Navi Mumbai must independently verify ownership records, 7/12 extracts, Index-2 documents, and legal approvals before making payments. If you have faced similar alleged real-estate fraud, contact authorities immediately and share verified information with Sprouts News.

Unmesh Gujarathi, Senior Crime and Investigative Journalist. His team contact no.: 9322755098