Mumbai Police Closes High-Profile Rs 67.5 Crore Cheating Case Against Kamala Mills Owner
The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has officially closed a significant cheating case involving Rs 67.50 crore against prominent businessman and Kamala Mills owner Ramesh Govani. In a decisive move, the EOW has submitted a 'B' summary report to the metropolitan magistrate court, formally stating that investigators could not uncover sufficient evidence to support the serious allegations leveled by the complainant, Sujit Arora.
Details of the Allegations and Case Registration
The case originated from a complaint filed by Sujit Arora, who accused Ramesh Govani of orchestrating a complex cheating scheme related to a land redevelopment project. Arora alleged that Govani, acting through his company Amikrupa Land Developers Pvt Ltd, took possession of his land under the pretense of redevelopment. In return, Govani promised to compensate Arora with a substantial payment of Rs 20 crore, along with commercial properties and residential flats, cumulatively valued at Rs 67.50 crore.
According to the complaint, Govani failed to fulfill any part of this agreement. He neither made the promised monetary payment nor transferred the agreed-upon shops and flats to Arora. This led to the registration of a formal case on July 9, 2024, under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, including cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust.
Arrest and Subsequent Investigation Developments
Following the registration of the FIR, Ramesh Govani was arrested on July 10, 2024. However, he secured bail and was released from custody a few weeks later. The core of Arora's allegations centered on a conveyance deed that Govani allegedly had him sign in 2014, based on promises of compensation for the land. Arora claimed that Govani registered this deed without making any payment and subsequently asserted ownership over the property.
The complaint further elaborated that Govani later assured Arora he would receive 10 flats and one commercial unit from the redevelopment project. Shockingly, seven of these flats were allegedly sold to third parties, while two others were mortgaged to a finance company. These actions purportedly resulted in a staggering financial loss of Rs 67.50 crore for the complainant. Arora stated that despite repeated demands for payment and compliance, Govani ignored his pleas, compelling him to seek police intervention.
Key Evidence and Police Findings That Led to Case Closure
During a thorough investigation, the EOW meticulously examined a wide array of documents, witness statements, and bank records. A critical piece of evidence emerged in the form of a Deed of Cancellation dated March 29, 2017. This document clearly indicated that the original agreement between Ramesh Govani and Sujit Arora had been mutually cancelled by both parties.
Investigators also scrutinized an affidavit filed by the complainant before the Bombay High Court in April 2023. The police noted a significant omission in Arora's initial complaint: he had not disclosed the existence of the cancellation deed when lodging the FIR and had provided incomplete information to the authorities.
Based on the comprehensive review of all available evidence, the investigating team concluded that no concrete or legally admissible proof could be established to demonstrate criminal intent on the part of Ramesh Govani and other involved parties. Consequently, the EOW determined that the allegations did not hold up under judicial scrutiny, leading to the filing of the 'B' summary report and the formal closure of the case.
