VADODARA: The Gorwa police have initiated a cheating case against a man accused of defrauding 16 individuals by promising them flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) in Vadodara.
The suspect, identified as Harish Chauhan, hailing from Akota, is currently on the run.
According to a complaint lodged by Varsha Pathak, a resident of Samta Road, she and her husband approached Chauhan in January 2025 while seeking to purchase a flat. Chauhan allegedly claimed to be an agent for the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and promised them a house in Subhanpura under PMAY.
When Pathak requested to view the flat, Chauhan reportedly stated that all necessary formalities must be completed first, including the issuance of an allotment letter. He then demanded money for processing fees and other charges. Pathak claimed that she paid a total of Rs 6.83 lakh in installments. Chauhan provided her with a receipt for the application and a document supposedly stamped by the VMC.
However, when Pathak later tried to obtain possession of the flat, Chauhan allegedly began to avoid her and eventually closed his office.
Police reported that Chauhan similarly deceived 15 other individuals, collecting approximately Rs 40 lakh before going into hiding.
