The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Bhopal police has registered a fraud case against office-bearers of Hilltop Housing Cooperative Society for allegedly collecting crores of rupees from hundreds of members over four decades without handing over possession of promised plots.
Case Registration and Allegations
The case was registered on Friday following an inquiry into complaints filed by several society members, including Narendra Nathani. The EOW found prima facie evidence that the society collected the full cost of plots along with additional development charges but failed to provide possession for years.
Manipulation of Records
Investigators alleged that while sale deeds were executed in members’ names, the society retained original documents and provided only photocopies to allottees. This enabled manipulation of records and plot allotments.
The FIR names former society president Satyendra Agrawal, current president Anita Singh, and other office-bearers under sections related to cheating, forgery, use of forged documents, and criminal conspiracy.
Background of the Society
According to the EOW, the society was formed in 1986 by officials associated with the revenue department and enrolled around 200 to 250 members. It allegedly collected between Rs 3 crore and Rs 4 crore for the purchase and development of land in Kotra Sultanabad, Barkhedi Khurd, Bawadiya Kalan, and Prempura.
Failure to Hand Over Possession
The investigation found that despite collecting repeated development charges and executing sale deeds, many members never received possession of their plots. For years, they were reportedly told that the land was involved in litigation.
Irregularities in Allotment Records
The probe also uncovered irregularities in allotment records, including cases where plots registered in one member’s name were later shown as allotted to others. In several instances, members were allegedly asked to pay development charges far exceeding the original cost of the plots.
Acquisition by MP Housing Board
Further, the EOW found that a portion of the land allotted to members had been acquired by the MP Housing Board in 2003. Despite this, the society allegedly continued collecting money from members for those plots. Audit reports and verification of registration records reportedly revealed extensive tampering with membership and allotment lists.
The agency said many of the affected members are senior citizens and retired government employees. Further investigation is underway.
