A major property dispute has erupted in Bhandup (West), Mumbai, as Hardik D. Salot (HUF) accuses Aniraj Tower Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. of illegally renumbering and selling his shop without consent. The legal notice demands immediate corrective action, warning of both civil and criminal proceedings. The Sprouts News Investigation Team (SIT) is closely monitoring the case for its legal and governance implications.

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Owner Alleges Shop Was Illegally Renumbered and Sold

According to a legal notice dated 7 August 2025, Salot claims he is the rightful owner of Shop No. 106 in Aniraj Tower, located opposite Kaka Petrol Pump on L.B.S. Marg. He alleges that his shop—and others in his family’s ownership—were fraudulently renumbered and sold without their knowledge or consent, as follows:

• Shop No. 103, owned by Deepak Salot (HUF), was renumbered as Shop No. 102 and sold to Dr. Nandini Suresh Waghela and Dr. Naresh Suresh Waghela.

• Shop No. 106, owned by Hardik Salot (HUF), was renumbered as Shop No. 103 and sold to Hanamant Ramchandra Phophale.

• Shop No. 104, owned by Hardik Salot, was renumbered as Shop No. 102 and sold to Dr. Naresh Suresh Waghela and Dr. Nandini Naresh Waghela.

Salot has described these transactions as acts of “cheating, criminal conspiracy, and misrepresentation” under applicable Indian laws. The SIT’s review of the notice confirms that it warns any unauthorized sale, merger, or renumbering carried out without lawful consent is legally null and void.

Housing Society’s Fiduciary Duty in Question

The notice assigns serious responsibility to the Managing Committee of Aniraj Tower Co-operative Housing Society, reminding them of their fiduciary and legal obligations to investigate fraudulent property transfers or irregular changes in allotment records.

Under the Maharashtra Co-operative Societies Act and related rules, committees must conduct internal inquiries, halt unauthorized occupation, and safeguard the rights of legitimate owners. Failure to act could expose society office-bearers to civil and criminal liability.

Demands for Immediate Action

The legal notice includes a five-point demand list:

1. Immediate cancellation of any share transfer or records recognizing the disputed allotment.

2. Written confirmation that Salot’s original ownership remains valid.

3. Suspension of all construction or renovation by the alleged illegal occupant.

4. Cooperation in legal proceedings to reclaim the property.

5. Issuance of a stop-work notice to the unauthorized party.

The society has been given seven days to comply. If it fails, Salot plans to initiate legal action seeking damages from both the society and other parties involved.

Also Read: Non‑Bailable Warrant Hits Nirmal Lifestyle Director in Fraud Probe.

Broader Implications for Mumbai’s Real Estate Sector

Illegal renumbering and fraudulent resale of commercial units have become increasingly common in Mumbai’s cooperative housing sector, particularly in high-demand suburbs such as Bhandup, Mulund, and Thane. Experts warn that weak oversight by society committees enables such frauds, leaving rightful owners to face long, costly legal battles.

Legal analysts note that the outcome of this case could set an important precedent for safeguarding ownership rights in Maharashtra’s cooperative societies.

Key Facts at a Glance:

• Dispute Location: Aniraj Tower, Bhandup (West), Mumbai

• Complainant: Hardik D. Salot (HUF)

• Accused Buyer: Hanamant Ramchandra Phophale

• Allegation: Illegal renumbering and fraudulent sale of Shops No. 103, 104 and 106

• Society Involved: M/s Aniraj Tower Co-operative Housing Society Ltd.

• Legal Action: Notice served; 7-day compliance deadline before court proceedings

• Finance Handled by: CEO Snehadevi Arun Jaiswal

Flashback:

• Did Cholamandalam Violate RBI Norms?

In an exclusive SIT investigation by Editor-in-Chief Unmesh Gujarathi, Sudhanshu Infrastructure Pvt. Ltd. is found to have gifted office spaces worth ₹7.5 crore to its own directors—Abhayjeet Sakalnarayan Dubey and Pinky Abhayjeet Dubey—who later secured loans from Cholamandalam Bank. This raises serious questions on RBI compliance, corporate gifting ethics, and related-party transactions, exposing potential loopholes in India’s regulatory framework.

Builder Booked, Tenants Threatened

The Aniraj Tower redevelopment scam in Bhandup (West) has left dozens of families without homes, rent, or safety for over six years. Builder Abhayjeet Saklanarayan Dubey faces multiple FIRs for fraud and assault. Allegations include illegal construction, fire safety violations, and abuse of power—reflecting a wider breakdown in Mumbai’s redevelopment governance.

TAGGED:Aniraj Tower Co-operative Housing Society

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ByUnmesh Gujarathi

Investigative Journalist

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Unmesh Gujarathi

Founder & Editor-in-Chief, Sprouts News

Unmesh Gujarathi is an Indian investigative journalist and media professional with over 28 years of experience in print and digital journalism. He is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, an independent investigative publication headquartered in Mumbai, established in 2020.

Throughout his career, he has held editorial positions at leading media organisations, including:

DNA (Daily News & Analysis)
The Times Group
The Free Press Journal
Saamana
Dabang Dunia
Lokmat

His reporting has focused on investigative journalism, governance accountability, public policy, corruption, crime reporting and the Right to Information (RTI) framework in India.

As Editor-in-Chief of Sprouts News, he oversees: