Mumbai: A Mumbai-based businessman has accused a city builder of duping him of over Rs 3.10 crore in an allegedly fraudulent flat sale at the Ison Heights project in Lower Parel, after waiting nearly a decade for possession. Following the complaint, the N. M. Joshi Marg Police have registered a case of cheating against Ishwarlal Lakhada of Hatadiya Builders Pvt. Ltd.

According to the FIR, the complainant, Champat Suthar, 49, who runs a glass business and resides in Chinchpokli (East), was looking to buy a new flat in 2014. Through a mutual business contact, he was introduced to real estate agent Champalal Jain, who showed him an under-construction project called Ison Heights, being developed by Hatadiya Builders Pvt. Ltd. on N. M. Joshi Marg, Lower Parel.

Jain assured Suthar that 14 floors of the building had already been completed and possession would be given within the next 18 months. Impressed with the property during a site visit, Suthar agreed to proceed with the purchase and was introduced to builder Ishwarlal Lakhada, a resident of Aditya Building, Sikka Nagar, V. P. Road, Mumbai.

A deal was finalized for Flat No. 702 on the 7th floor at a total cost of Rs 2.46 crore — Rs 2.36 crore for the flat and Rs 10 lakh for a parking slot. Between April 16, 2014 and August 18, 2016, Suthar claims to have paid Rs 1.12 crore via cheques and another Rs 1.30 crore in cash, totaling Rs 2.42 crore.

However, according to the complaint, Lakhada started avoiding the flat agreement process after receiving the payments.

In 2017 and 2018, the construction of the project came to a standstill. Work resumed in January 2019, prompting Suthar to once again follow up with the builder, who then allegedly demanded additional payments. Suthar transferred an additional Rs 67.82 lakh via cheques to Hatadiya Builders account.

By April 8, 2024, the total amount paid by Suthar had reached Rs 3.10 crore. Lakhada had reportedly promised to hand over the flat by September 2024, but failed to do so. After multiple follow-ups yielded no response, Suthar sent a legal notice on March 8, 2025, demanding possession within 15 days. With no reply from the builder, Suthar approached the N. M. Joshi Marg Police.

Based on the complaint, police have booked Ishwarlal Lakhada under Section 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. Further investigation is underway.

Palghar, Maharashtra: Palghar Police have recovered stolen motor pumps and cables valued at ₹27 lakh from a company’s warehouse in Savroli, Talasari, within two days of the crime.

According to officials, the theft occurred between September 25 and 26 at the warehouse of a plastics firm located in Shreenath Industrial Estate. The accused, identified as Jotin Omkar Singh of Vapi, Gujarat, was employed as a watchman at the premises.

Police said Singh allegedly broke open the shutter of the warehouse and decamped with the goods, which included motor pumps and electrical cables of varying sizes.

A case was registered at Talasari police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Acting on technical analysis and a confidential tip-off, police tracked the stolen property to two men from Andheri East, Mumbai — Parvezalam Jafar Ali Khan and Akram Ali Anwar Ali. Both were arrested on September 29, and the entire stolen consignment, along with a vehicle, was seized from their possession.

Patna, Oct 1: A tragic road accident in Bihar’s Bihta, on the outskirts of the capital Patna, triggered widespread unrest on Wednesday after a speeding sand-laden truck crushed a child riding a bicycle, killing him on the spot.

According to eyewitnesses, the child was returning from a local temple after offering prayers on the occasion of Durga Puja when the truck hit him.

The incident led to chaos as a large number of locals gathered at the site.

Enraged by the accident, residents blocked the road by placing the child’s body on it.

The crowd allegedly pelted stones at police personnel, leaving some officers injured, and also damaged a police vehicle.

Police later used mild force to bring the situation under control.

Locals alleged administrative negligence, pointing out that heavy vehicles were banned from entering many areas due to the Mahanavami festival, yet a sand-laden truck was allowed to pass through at high speed.

Confirming the incident, City SP (West) Bhanu Pratap Singh said, “Some miscreants allegedly assaulted the accused driver. We have registered an FIR against the truck driver responsible for the boy’s death and are also trying to identify those involved in assaulting him. They will be booked as well. No one is allowed to take the law into their own hands.”

Following the violence, a heavy police force from multiple stations has been deployed in the area to prevent further escalation. Senior police officers of the Patna district are closely monitoring the situation.

Meanwhile, the Mahanavami Puja is underway, with large crowds visiting pandals across the region.