BOKARO: Taking a note of
a steep rise in incidents of land scams that dupe many people, Bokaro deputy
commissioner Uma Shanker Singh on Wednesday urged the residents to verify
land-related documents from the government office concerned before buying flats
or houses from builders and real estate agents.
TNN | Feb 20, 2014, 10.07AM IST
Singh made this appeal after a fresh case of land scam was
busted in an inquiry constituted by him. A builder launching housing project
named Golden City in Chas block has allegedly duped more than 100 people for a
sum of about Rs 3 crore. The company had purchased 71 acres of land, but sold a
chunk of more than 10 acres on the basis of fake documents.
After receiving complaints from the residents, Singh constituted an inquiry
headed by Chas circle officer Naresh Soni and special officer Krishna Kumar.
They found that the builder has fraudulently sold land to the residents showing
fake sale deed and agreements.
Singh said that a
notice was sent to the builders asking them to present documents before the
officials, but they failed to appear before the panel. However, when residents
started demanding their money back, the builder threatened them with dire
consequences.
The accused have been identified as Sushil Kumar Singh, Sunil Kumar, Sudhir
Kumar, Anil Kumar and five others. “Based on the report, I have directed
the officials to take strict legal action against the accused. We have also
asked the police to take necessary measures to ensure that those cheated by the
builder get their money back,” said Singh. He also urged the people of the
district to “verify land status before purchasing flats or bungalows from
builders or middlemen. Do not keep your eyes closed while buying houses as it
will make you suffer”
Bokaro has witnessed many lands scam cases in which builders first acquire
lands in an unauthorized manner and then sell it to residents. Singh also
warned builders to not to indulge in such unfair practices because they are not
being spared if caught someday. Rising population and rapid industrialization
has inflated land prices and boosted the real estate business here.