Bhai Thakur’s Kin Booked in ₹30 Cr Fraud
• Viva Group Under Fire in ₹30 Cr Township Scam
• Poddar vs Thakur: Real Estate Deal Turns Sour
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
Mumbai-based developer Rohit Poddar has alleged a ₹30 crore fraud by Bhai Thakur’s relatives—Mehul and Deepak Thakur—linked to a failed township project in Vasai-Virar. Funds meant for land acquisition were allegedly siphoned to another Viva Group account. The EOW is probing the case involving forgery, cheating, and criminal breach of trust.
Real Estate Deal Turns Sour: Poddar Alleges ₹30 Crore Cheating
In a sensational development shaking Mumbai’s real estate and political circles, Rohit Poddar—promoter of Poddar Developers Pvt Ltd—has filed a criminal complaint accusing members of the infamous Viva Group of orchestrating a ₹30 crore real estate scam. The accused include Mehul Thakur, nephew of Vasai-Virar strongman Jayendra alias Bhai Thakur, and Deepak Thakur, his cousin, both of whom were closely involved in a now-defunct township partnership project.
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police has officially taken over the investigation, which was initially registered at NM Joshi Marg police station. The FIR includes serious charges under cheating, criminal breach of trust, and forgery as per the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Township Investment Promised 300% Returns, Political Clout
According to the FIR accessed by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT), the dispute dates back to 2012 when Mehul Thakur approached Rohit Poddar with an ambitious proposal: a mega township project in Vasai-Virar backed by political support and access to expansive land parcels.
Mehul, allegedly using his family’s influence, promised Poddar returns up to 300%. Deepak Thakur, Mehul’s father, reportedly assured Poddar of the land availability and lent credibility to the deal by showing prospective plots in Vasai and Palghar.
A formal entity, Poddar Viva Construction Pvt Ltd, was then incorporated. Three directors of the Viva Group—Radhey Khanolkar, Vinay Vartak, and Vinamra Vartak—retired from the board, seemingly paving the way for this strategic partnership.
₹30 Crore Diverted to Unknown Accounts, No Land Materialised
Over the following months, Poddar alleges that Mehul and Deepak repeatedly demanded fund transfers under the pretext of compensating farmers and acquiring land. Trusting the representations, Poddar claims he transferred nearly ₹30 crore to the partnership’s account. However, crucially, no receipts or legal acknowledgements were ever issued.
Alarmed by continued demands and lack of progress, Poddar initiated an internal audit. To his shock, he discovered that the ₹30 crore had been unlawfully siphoned into another Viva Group account, reportedly controlled by Mehul Thakur. No land was ever registered, and no construction commenced over the next 13 years.
Fake Resolution Used to Misappropriate Funds
The FIR also points to another startling revelation. Despite their official retirement, Radhey Khanolkar and Vinay Vartak allegedly signed a backdated and unauthorized board resolution appointing Mehul Thakur as the authorised signatory of Poddar Viva Construction Pvt Ltd. This fraudulent document was allegedly used to enable and legitimize illegal fund transfers.
As per legal experts consulted by the Sprouts News SIT, such acts constitute serious corporate fraud and abuse of fiduciary responsibility.
ED Background: Mehul Thakur’s Name Surfaces in Mackstar Case
This isn’t the first time Mehul Thakur’s name has surfaced in high-profile financial crimes. In 2021, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested him in the Mackstar money laundering case, where he was accused of defrauding an American investment fund of several crores. That case, too, raised concerns about large-scale financial irregularities within the Viva Group’s operations.
The current EOW investigation may soon overlap with findings from the ED, as financial trail overlaps become increasingly evident.
Political Influence, Corporate Fraud, and Legal Fallout
The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has learned that the FIR also highlights the political connections claimed by the Thakur family, which allegedly played a role in manipulating investor trust and avoiding scrutiny. Rohit Poddar, a seasoned developer, maintains that he was lured with false promises of influence and land acquisition.
Legal observers warn that this case could become a landmark in corporate real estate fraud prosecution in Maharashtra, especially given the suspected nexus of money laundering, forged documentation, and breach of governance protocols.
Also Read: FRA Chairman Vijay Achaliya Busted in Massive ₹1,000 Crore Scam.
SIT Demand: Transparent Probe, ED & SEBI Involvement Urged
In light of the scale and background of this fraud, the Sprouts News SIT strongly urges that both the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) investigate deeper into the Viva Group’s financial practices and possible money laundering.
Given the long delay in justice and political ramifications, the case could also test the resolve of Maharashtra’s financial crime enforcement ecosystem. Questions are also being raised about whether the RBI and other regulators should probe potential misuse of financial channels.
Bhai Thakur’s Kin Real Estate Scam with Criminal Overtones
The ₹30 crore fraud complaint filed by Rohit Poddar isn’t just another corporate dispute—it signals a deeper rot within parts of Mumbai’s real estate sector, where political muscle, underworld links, and fake documentation continue to derail justice and investor confidence.
With the EOW probe now intensifying and past ED arrests resurfacing in public memory, this could well become one of Maharashtra’s most high-stakes real estate corruption cases in recent years.
Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) will continue to track developments in this case and bring exclusive updates as they unfold.
