BHOPAL: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has initiated legal action against the office-bearers of the Hilltop Housing Cooperative Society in Bhopal. They are accused of defrauding members by collecting substantial sums over 40 years without providing promised plot ownership.
This case arose from inquiries into multiple complaints by society members, notably Narendra Nathani. Evidence discovered by the EOW indicates that members paid the full price for their plots and additional development charges but never received their land.
Investigators allege that although sale deeds were issued in members’ names, the society retained the original documentation and supplied only photocopies, allowing for potential manipulation of records and allotments.
The FIR implicates former society president Satyendra Agrawal, current president Anita Singh, and other officials under charges of cheating, forgery, the use of fraudulent documents, and criminal conspiracy.
According to the EOW, established in 1986 with officials linked to the revenue department, the society enrolled roughly 200 to 250 members, collecting between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore for land acquisition and development in areas like Kotra Sultanabad and Bawadiya Kalan.
Despite repeatedly charging development fees and issuing sale deeds, many members reportedly never took possession of their plots, as they were continuously told the land was under litigation.
Investigators found discrepancies in allotment records, with instances where plots registered to one member were recorded as allotted to others. Some members were allegedly coerced into paying development fees that exceeded the original plot cost.
Further investigation revealed that part of the land designated for members had been acquired by the MP Housing Board in 2003. Nonetheless, the society continued to collect funds for these plots. Audit reports uncovered significant tampering with the membership and allotment lists.
Many affected members are senior citizens and retired government employees. An in-depth investigation is ongoing.
