Vadodara Man Accused of Duping 16 People in PMAY Housing Scam, Rs 40 Lakh Swindled
The Gorwa police in Vadodara have registered a significant cheating case against a man accused of defrauding 16 individuals by falsely promising them flats under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). The accused, identified as Harish Chauhan, a resident of Akota, is currently absconding, with authorities intensifying efforts to locate him.
Details of the Alleged Fraud
According to a formal complaint filed by Varsha Pathak, a resident of Samta Road, the incident began in January 2025 when she and her husband approached Chauhan at his office while searching for a flat. Chauhan allegedly presented himself as an agent of the Vadodara Municipal Corporation (VMC) and assured the couple that he could secure them a house under the PMAY scheme in the Subhanpura area.
When Pathak requested to see the flat, Chauhan reportedly insisted that all formalities must be completed first, including the issuance of an allotment letter. He then demanded substantial payments for processing fees and other associated charges. Pathak claims she paid a total of Rs 6.83 lakh in multiple instalments over time.
To lend credibility to his scheme, Chauhan provided Pathak with a receipt for the application and a document that appeared to bear a VMC stamp. However, when she later sought possession of the promised flat, the accused began evading her calls and visits, eventually shutting down his office entirely, leaving victims in the lurch.
Wider Impact and Police Investigation
Police investigations have revealed that Chauhan employed similar tactics to cheat 15 other individuals, allegedly amassing approximately Rs 40 lakh in total from all victims before disappearing. The case highlights vulnerabilities in housing schemes and the exploitation of public trust in government initiatives.
The Vadodara police are urging other potential victims to come forward and are examining documents provided by Chauhan to verify their authenticity. Authorities emphasize the importance of verifying credentials directly with official bodies like the VMC before making any payments related to housing schemes.
This incident serves as a stark reminder for citizens to exercise caution when dealing with agents claiming to facilitate government benefits, ensuring thorough due diligence to prevent such financial losses.
