• Major Housing Scam Exposed in Ambernath
• Thousands of Homebuyers Cheated in Multi-Crore Fraud
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
Contact: +91 9322755098
A massive real estate scam has been uncovered in Ambernath, Maharashtra, following an in-depth investigation by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT). The scam involves Mohan Lifespaces LLP, government officials, town planners, and banks. Thousands of homebuyers have fallen victim to fraudulent housing projects, suffering significant financial losses. The case raises serious concerns about corruption and regulatory failures in the real estate sector.
Fraudulent Projects and Fake Certifications
An investigation by the Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has revealed large-scale fraud linked to housing projects such as Mohan Nano Estates, Mohan Suburbia, and Mohan Galleria in Ambernath West. Key players in the scam include:
Developers and Associates
– Jeetender Mohandas Lalchandani
– Tushar Jeetendra Lalchandani
– Deepak Manchandya
– Manohar Hariram Manchandya
– Omprakash Nandlal Manchandya
– Hari Mulchandia Bhatia
– Ajit Rameshlal Gandhi
– Amit Gandhi
– Prashant Rai
Architect
– Thorat Matthew & Associates (Sarang Thorat)
Ambernath Municipal Council Officials
– Prashant Rasal (Chief Officer)
– Shridhar Patankar (Chief Officer)
– Devidas Pawar (Chief Officer)
– Bhalchandra Gosavi (Chief Officer)
Banks Involved
– Several reputed private and public sector banks
Key Findings of the Scam
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– Fake Commencement and Occupation Certificates:
Ambernath Municipal Council officials issued fraudulent certificates lacking crucial details like building names, wing numbers, and approved building counts. One such certificate enabled the illegal construction of 31 buildings under MahaRERA, while 25-30 buildings were built before MahaRERA using similar fake approvals.
– Illegal MahaRERA Registrations:
The Maharashtra Real Estate Regulatory Authority (MahaRERA), under Vasant Prabhu’s leadership, approved 31 projects based on forged documents, ignoring essential regulatory checks.
– Violation of Environmental Laws:
Large-scale township projects were constructed without obtaining the mandatory Environmental Clearance Certificate, causing significant ecological damage.
– Fake Housing Societies:
The Ambernath Cooperative Housing Registrar illegally registered housing societies for these fraudulent projects, misleading buyers into believing the projects were legitimate.
Authorities and Banks Ignored Complaints
Despite multiple complaints filed with various agencies, no action has been taken against the developers and officials involved. Complaints were submitted to:
– Crime Branch, Thane (Wagle Estate)
– Ambernath Police Station
– Thane Economic Offences Wing (EOW)
– Thane Police Commissioner’s Office
– RBI Ombudsman
– HDFC Bank Nodal Officer Ripal Sheth
However, no FIRs have been registered, and fraudulent bank loans remain uninvestigated. Banks sanctioned housing loans based on fake approvals, trapping homebuyers in illegal projects.
Government’s Inaction and Public Outrage
Despite the large scale of the fraud, the Maharashtra Government, MahaRERA, and the Housing Department have failed to take any decisive action. Many homebuyers, who invested their life savings in these projects, are left without legal protection or financial compensation.
Urgent Action Needed
Sprouts News demands immediate action to:
• Conduct a thorough investigation into the fraudulent activities of Mohan Lifespaces LLP, Ambernath Municipal Council officials, town planners, and banks.
• Register FIRs and initiate legal proceedings against all responsible parties.
• Hold banks accountable for approving loans based on forged documents.
• Provide full refunds to affected homebuyers.
• Take action against law enforcement agencies for failing to act despite overwhelming evidence.
This multi-crore housing scam has exposed deep-rooted corruption in Maharashtra’s real estate sector. If authorities do not act swiftly, thousands of innocent homebuyers will continue to suffer while those responsible go unpunished.
Excellent report.
Thanks to person who exposed this Mohan Builder, Ambarnath.
Person who wrote this report exposing Mohan Builder, kindly contact me,
Subject: Immediate Action Demanded: Fraudulent Issuance of Commencement and Occupancy Certificates by AMC Officials
To:
Mr. Abhishek Paradkar
Assistant Chief Executive Officer, AMC
To,
The Collector, Thane District
To,
Mr. Arjun Landge, Urban Development Department
Dear Mr. Paradkar,
I am compelled to formally address a matter of grave legal and administrative concern regarding the fraudulent issuance of Commencement Certificates (CCs) and Occupancy Certificates (OCs) by officials within the AMC. Despite prior escalation of this issue to your office by Mr. Arjun Landge of the Urban Development Department and the Thane Collector’s Office, no substantive action or official response has been forthcoming to date. This continued inaction is both unacceptable and alarming.
The following officials have been directly implicated in these fraudulent activities:
Mr. Bhalchandra Gosavi – Chief Officer
Mr. Devidas Pawar – Chief Officer
Mr. Prakash Muley – Town Planner
Mr. Vidyasagar Chavan – Town Planner
Mr. Prashant Rasal – Chief Officer
Mr. Vivek Gautam – Town Planner
The issuance of fraudulent CCs and OCs is a serious offence, potentially constituting violations under the Indian Penal Code, the MRTP Act, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, and it represents a gross breach of public duty. These actions have directly undermined legal processes, jeopardized structural safety, and exposed citizens to substantial financial and legal risk.
Accordingly, I demand the following without further delay:
Immediate suspension of the officials named above pending a full investigation.
Initiation of an independent inquiry into all CCs and OCs issued under their authority.
I trust your office will take the necessary steps to uphold the integrity of the AMC and restore public confidence in its administrative processes.
Thanks for your comment
Since 1947 to update corruption is on upward it will never come down, saluet to persons like umesh G, he is doing his job from so many years, but our judiciary is helpless