Dhamnod | A shocking real estate fraud case has emerged from Dhamnod town in Madhya Pradesh, where a single rooftop of the old bus stand complex has allegedly been sold to two different buyers, resulting in a scam worth nearly ₹1.25 crore. Following a complaint, police have registered a case against two individuals and launched an investigation.
According to the information, 71-year-old Hasan Ali, a resident of Rajod in Sardarpur tehsil, has alleged that he was assured leasehold rights over a rooftop property in the old bus stand complex of Dhamnod. The deal was allegedly shown in the name of Mohammad Rafiq alias Lalu, resident of Narayan Colony, Dhamnod.
FCRF Academy Launches Premier Anti-Money Laundering Certification Program
As per the complaint, on June 26, 2018, a notarized agreement for the sale of the rooftop was executed on a ₹1,000 stamp paper for a total amount of ₹3.12 lakh. The deal was facilitated by Khuzema Barwaniwala alias Burhan, resident of Muktavad complex, Dudhi (Dhar), who acted as a mediator in the transaction.
The complainant stated that he initially paid ₹1.12 lakh as an advance. The remaining amount was allegedly paid in multiple installments through bank cheques and other modes of transfer. He claims that he eventually paid almost the entire amount, believing that he had legally acquired leasehold rights over the property.
However, later it reportedly came to light that the same rooftop had already been sold to another individual as well. The allegation suggests that the property was sold twice, causing a financial loss of approximately ₹1.25 crore.
After the matter surfaced, the victim approached the police and district administration seeking action. Based on preliminary findings, Dhamnod police have registered an FIR against the two accused under sections related to cheating and criminal conspiracy.
Police officials stated that a detailed investigation is underway to determine whether more individuals are involved in the alleged scam. Authorities are also examining property documents, agreements, and financial transaction records to verify the chain of ownership and payments.
Locally, the incident has raised serious concerns over transparency in real estate transactions, especially in leasehold property dealings. Experts say such frauds often occur due to inadequate verification of ownership documents and unclear legal status of properties, leading unsuspecting buyers into large-scale financial losses.
Legal experts note that selling the same property to multiple buyers is a serious criminal offence. Such cases may attract charges of cheating, criminal breach of trust, and conspiracy under applicable laws.
Meanwhile, police have intensified efforts to trace the accused, and questioning is expected soon. The case has once again highlighted growing concerns over fraudulent practices in the real estate sector, where even minor lapses in documentation and verification can lead to massive financial frauds affecting ordinary citizens.
