Mumbai: More than three months after a cheating case was registered against two directors of a window system company, Dadar police arrested one of them. The case was based on a complaint by an interior designer alleging financial loss of over Rs 72 lakh due to defective and unsafe installation work at a duplex on Nepean Sea Road.
Arrest and Court Proceedings
Police arrested Ravi Panjwani (57) from a hotel in Lonavla on Saturday. He was produced before a local court, which remanded him to police custody until Monday. The second director, Nikhil Daswani, is yet to be apprehended.
Details of the Complaint
The complainant, employed with Beauvue Stiledivita, had engaged Yantra Aluminium Window System, represented by Panjwani and Daswani, for the installation of European-standard premium aluminium profile window systems. The work order was issued for Rs 34.8 lakh. The installation included advanced sliding and hidden-track windows for a duplex on the 21st and 22nd floors of Asiana building.
Defects and Consequences
After installation, the homeowners allegedly complained of serious defects, including water leakage during rain, loud whistling sounds due to wind pressure, faulty locking systems, and unsafe fittings. The windows had to be repeatedly removed and reinstalled, but repair attempts failed despite multiple visits by the company's technicians. The complainant alleged that the homeowners were forced to temporarily shift to a five-star hotel during repairs, and painting and surrounding civil work had to be redone multiple times.
Independent Audit Findings
An independent audit conducted through other interior and window system firms concluded that the installation was structurally unsafe and functionally inadequate. The audit noted improper drainage systems, defective inter-locks, badly installed gaskets, malfunctioning lock receivers, poor silicone application, and substandard finishing work.
Financial Loss and Reputation Damage
The interior designer alleged that due to the defective work, he was forced to refund Rs 41.5 lakh to the homeowner for the failed window system. Additionally, he incurred Rs 35 lakh towards removal, replacement, civil repairs, and restoration work. He claimed the incident severely damaged his company's reputation and caused losses exceeding Rs 72 lakh.
Police are continuing their investigation into the matter.
