Mumbai Crime Branch Files Chargesheet in Major Kandivli Land-Grab Case
Seven months after the Mumbai police registered an FIR in a significant land-grab case in Kandivli, the property cell of the city crime branch has filed a chargesheet against five accused individuals. The case, which was first reported by TOI in August last year, involves a complex fraud scheme concerning 17 acres of land.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
Of the total 17 acres, approximately 10 acres were reserved for public purposes and had already been formally surrendered to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). However, investigators allege that the accused fraudulently sold this BMC portion to third parties. The chargesheet names Rinkesh Vadilal Shah, his late father Vadilal Shah, Jagdish Bhat, Girish Bhat, Suresh Bhat, and Vatsala Joshi as the accused.
The chargesheet reveals that the accused executed sale deeds between 2024 and 2025 by submitting defective declarations in the names of deceased individuals. The investigation uncovered fabricated ownership claims, continued property tax payments made in deceased persons' names, and wrongful conveyance of society-held and reserved plots to create false titles for monetary gain.
Historical Background of the Kandivli Land
According to investigation records, the Kandivli land was originally purchased by Nanubhai Bhat in 1943. The total land area measures 67,932 square meters. Under the 1967 Development Plan, approximately 29,969 square meters were reserved for public purposes and were to be transferred to the BMC, while the remaining unreserved portion was designated for development.
To facilitate development, Nanubhai Bhat and his heirs formed M/s Indian Plumbingo in 1973 and entered into agreements with developer U.B. Luthria and Elel Hotels and Investment between 1974 and 1978. In December 1978, the reserved plot was formally transferred to the Municipal Corporation, and 18 buildings were subsequently constructed on the unreserved land through various housing societies.
Investigative Findings and Legal Charges
Investigators found that although the developer and architect were required to demarcate the reserved land and record the Municipal Corporation's name on the property card, this condition was never fulfilled despite official correspondence in 1985 and 1989. The land records continued to reflect Nanubhai Bhat's name until 2001.
The probe further states that in 2004, Jagdish Bhat allegedly executed a power of attorney in favor of Vadilal Shah and Vijay Sheth for the entire 17-acre land, despite authority being limited to only about 7 acres and 12 guntas. Officials allege that this expanded authority was misused for fraudulent activities.
Despite the disputed ownership and the fact that some alleged executants of the power of attorney were deceased, the firm M/s Shah & Sons, run by Vadilal Shah and his son Rinkesh Shah, allegedly sold multiple plots between October 2024 and January 14, 2025. This was done by submitting a defective declaration regarding the power of attorney at the Sub-Registrar's Office.
Legal Proceedings and Charges
The case was originally filed by BMC officials in August last year, alleging that the original land owners along with developers fraudulently sold the BMC-acquired land to third parties based on the power of attorney. The accused have now been formally charged with:
- Cheating
- Forgery
- Violations under the Registration Act of 1908
This chargesheet represents a significant development in what appears to be a carefully orchestrated real estate fraud involving historical land records, deceased persons' identities, and municipal property rights.
