In fresh trouble for the largest real estate builder in the country, Unitech ltd, a Delhi court has ordered Police to register a First Information Report (FIR) under sections of cheating against the company for allegedly duping a family to the tune of over `2 crore. The case according has been registered at the Vasant Kunj (South) Police station.
The complainant in the case, Suneel Sardana had alleged that the accused company was giving an offer that they were willing to take deposits from people with a higher percentage of interest return than banks.
He further alleged that the company had taken money from him and his sons but had not paid them back their money. After they found out they were cheated, the family approached court.
Metropolitan Magistrate Dr Pankaj Sharma directed the Station House Officer of Vasant Kunj (South) police station to register the FIR on the basis of the complaint.
" Accordingly, application under section 156(3) CrPC is allowed. The concerned SHO is directed to register the FIR on the basis of the complaint and investigate the matter is accordance of law. The investigation shall be uninfluenced by sections/provisions. The power of arrest should be used when it is an aid to the investigation," read the court order.
As per the complaint, Suneel Sardana that in 2010 he had deposited a total amount of `45,00,000 in the form of two FDR's (Fixed Deposit Receipts) for a period of three years bearing interest of 12.5% with Unitech.
In September 2013, Saradana renewed both the FDR's for a period of one year. Sardana's sons Vikas Sardana and Sidharth Sardana had also invested in the accused company.
" While Sidharth Sardana invested `50,50,000 in the form of one FDR, Vikas Sardana invested `50,50,000 and `60,00,000 in the form of two FDR's for a period of one year each," the order read
The order further read, " Thereafter, employee of the accused company on the directions of the Managing Director of the company, took away the original fixed deposit receipts of the victims on the pretext of transferring the maturity amount with interest in their respective bank accounts through RTGS within 48 hours of maturity. Therafter, the accused persons allegedly paid no amount to the victims,"
An Action Taken Report (ATR) filed by the Investigating Officer of the case was perused. Records were perused and arguments were heard.
" Facts disclosed ex-facie commission of cognisable offences and in the considered view of the court. Field investigation by police is required in the case. Since the proposed accused has no locus standi at this stage, the submission made by them are not considered," said MM Pankaj Sharma.
Previously, the Managing director of Unitech ltd Sanjay Chandra and his brother Ajay Chandra was arrested by Delhi Police EOW for allegedly cheating buyers as Unitech failed to complete a project in Gurugram's Sector 70 on time and also did not refund the money along with the interest.