Case of cheating against over 150 landowners, developers

Nashik: A cheating case has been registered at the Sarkarwada police station against more than 150 landowners and developers for allegedly evading the mandatory 20% reservation for economically weaker section (EWS) housing in residential projects above 4,000sqm.The case was registered on March 7 after a land records department officer filed a complaint based on an inquiry conducted by a committee chaired by the additional district collector. The probe was launched to verify whether developers adhered to govt norms mandating that 20% of land in projects exceeding 4,000sqm be reserved for EWS housing as per the state housing policies of 2013 and 2017.In Nashik Municipal Corporation limits, this reserved portion is required to be allotted through the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA). The FIR invoked sections 318(4) (cheating), 335 (creating false documents), 336 (forgery), and other provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).After MHADA officials raised red flags, the enquiry committee investigated several projects. It found that at least 49 landowners, developers, and unidentified collaborators had allegedly forged documents to artificially split large plots into smaller parcels to stay below the 4,000sqm threshold and bypass the EWS reservation requirement.Senior inspector Suresh Avhad of the Sarkarwada police station told TOI that the revenue department and NMC had submitted a list of over 150 individuals involved, including more than 100 landowners. "There are over 100 such projects across the city. A thorough investigation will determine the specific roles of landowners and developers in the cheating and forgery. Arrests will be made if required," he said.