Navi Mumbai Land Scam
• Investor Loses ₹21 Lakh in Fraudulent Deal!
• Bhoomi Developers Accused of Cheating; Sprouts Investigation Uncovers Startling Facts
Unmesh Gujarathi
Sprouts News Exclusive
A massive land scam has rocked Navi Mumbai, exposing how Bhoomi Developers allegedly duped an investor of ₹21.12 lakh in a fraudulent land deal. A deep-dive investigation by Sprouts has uncovered a web of deception involving fake ownership claims, misrepresented records, and deliberate concealment of crucial legal restrictions.
• The Bait: A Seemingly Lucrative Land Deal
Tony (name changed), a Senior Manager at a multinational IT firm, was introduced to the deal in December 2023 by Rais, a representative of Bhoomi Developers. He was shown a prime piece of land in Survey No. 183/1, Vindhane, Uran, Raigad, and assured of its legality and high investment returns.
Bhoomi Developers’ CEO, Nivas Rathod, painted a rosy picture of skyrocketing property values and guaranteed profits.
After a site visit, Tony agreed to purchase 11 gunthas of land allegedly owned by Nivas Rathod. He made an initial booking payment of ₹11,000, followed by a staggering ₹21.12 lakh between January and February 2024, covering 80% of the total deal amount.
• The Shocking Discovery: A Deal Built on Lies
On the scheduled registration day (February 27, 2024), Tony was hit with a shocking revelation- the land was legally non-transferable due to Maharashtra government Gazette dated 01.01.2016 under the MH Tenancy and Agricultural Lands Act, 1948.
• Key Facts Concealed by Bhoomi Developers:
– The land required conversion to non-agricultural status within five years.
– In August 2024, government land records showed Mumbai SEZ as the sole owner of Survey No. 183/1, making it legally difficult for Tony to claim any ownership.
– The 7/12 land records were mysteriously altered by the government, shifting all previous owners, including Rathod, from Survey No. 183/1 to 183/2, rendering Tony’s agreement to sale in questionable state.
– Further investigations revealed that Nivas Rathod never even owned the 11 gunthas he claimed to sell.
• A Classic Con: Bhoomi Developers’ History of Fraud
In April 2024, Bhoomi Developers’ owner, Bandu Rathod, admitted receiving Tony’s ₹21.12 lakh and promised a refund if the sale was not completed within six months. However, despite multiple follow-ups and written commitments, only a partial refund was made. Tony is still waiting for the remaining ₹15.33 lakh.
Even more disturbingly, despite an FIR being filed on January 25, 2025, at Sanpada Police Station, naming Bandu and Nivas Rathod as accused, Sprouts has learned that on January 30, 2025, the same fraudulent land parcel was sold again to another unsuspecting buyer!
Also Read: Tenant Dies by Suicide Outside Developer’s Office in Mumbai.
• Rampant Fraud in Uran & Panvel: Investors Beware!
Sprouts’ research into all land deals by Bhoomi Developers in 2024 reveals a disturbing pattern of deception:
– The land parcels are undivided, with multiple owners, leading to massive ambiguity.
– No clear records exist on how much area of land is actually owned, sold, or purchased.
– High risk of multiple sales for the same land, leaving buyers in legal limbo.
With the completion of the Atal Setu (MTHL), land scams have skyrocketed in Uran and Panvel. Investors must check:
– 7/12, 8A, and ferfaar on [https://bhulekh.mahabhumi.gov.in/]
(https://bhulekh.mahabhumi.gov.in/)
– Index-2 on [https://freesearchigrservice.maharashtra.gov.in/]
(https://freesearchigrservice.maharashtra.gov.in/)
Buyers should verify how the seller acquired the ownership of the land and how much their share of the land is. It is strongly advised to conduct thorough legal checks through expert professionals before purchasing any land.
.• Sprouts Will Continue to Expose Real Estate Fraud!
This is just the tip of the iceberg. Sprouts remains committed to uncovering fraudulent practices in the real estate sector.
If you or someone you know has been affected by similar fraud, contact the authorities and share your story with Sprouts. We will continue to fight for justice and expose scammers who prey on unsuspecting investors.
Unmesh Gujarathi
9322755098