A senior corporate executive from Bhandup has allegedly been cheated of ₹35 lakh in a flat purchase deal after the property he paid for was found to have already been sold to another couple. Bhandup Police have registered an FIR against two accused in connection with the alleged fraud, which dates back to 2022.
Search for Larger Home Led to Deal
According to the complaint, the 40-year-old executive, who lived with his family in a small chawl room in Bhandup West, was looking for a bigger home before his marriage. In 2022, he approached a property agent with a budget of ₹25 lakh to ₹30 lakh.
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The agent introduced him to another broker, who then connected him with Murugesan Rama Appu and Anthony James. The two allegedly offered to sell Flat No. 1521 in Janateshwar SRA Cooperative Housing Society and assured him that ownership would later be transferred in official SRA records.
After consulting a lawyer, the complainant agreed to buy the flat for ₹35 lakh. Police records state that the full payment was made between April and May 2022. Murugesan Rama Appu allegedly signed sale-related documents and handed over the keys to the flat.
Possession Delayed, Flat Found Occupied
A few days after handing over the keys, Murugesan allegedly took them back, claiming that SRA officials needed to inspect the property. The complainant alleged that possession and ownership transfer were then repeatedly delayed on different grounds.
At one stage, he was allegedly promised an alternative flat. However, in December 2022, the complainant discovered that another couple was already occupying the flat he had purchased.
Further inquiries allegedly revealed that the flat had been sold to the couple on February 16, 2022, weeks before the complainant entered into his own transaction with the accused.
FIR Registered After Cheques Dishonoured
Following the discovery, the accused allegedly returned only ₹1 lakh. They later issued three cheques worth a total of ₹31 lakh to repay the remaining amount, but all three cheques were dishonoured when presented to the bank.
After pursuing the matter for several years, the complainant approached authorities, leading to the registration of an FIR by Bhandup Police on June 22, 2026. Since the alleged offence took place in 2022, the case has been filed under the Indian Penal Code rather than the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Police have booked Murugesan Rama Appu and Anthony James under IPC Sections 420 for cheating and 34 for common intention. Investigators are examining transaction records, bank documents, bounced cheques and property papers as part of the ongoing probe.
