Ahmedabad: Four Booked For Allegedly Holding Senior Citizens’ ₹60-Lakh Flat, ₹5.85 Lakh Rent Unpaid

The Chandkheda police have registered a case against four people for allegedly occupying a ₹60-lakh flat in Ahmedabad’s Motera area after their leave-and-licence agreement expired, failing to pay ₹5.85 lakh in rent and threatening the elderly owners when asked to vacate the property.

The complaint was lodged by Rupaben Mishra, 44, acting under a power of attorney for her parents, Pranatiben and Sharatkumar Mishra, both senior citizens living in Odisha. The disputed three-bedroom flat, with a hall, kitchen and terrace, is located in Ratnam-1, behind D-Mart in Motera.

Rent Payments Allegedly Stopped In April 2024

According to the complaint, the flat was rented to Nilamben Dharambhai Shah under an 11-month notarised leave-and-licence agreement running from July 1, 2023, to May 31, 2024. The monthly rent was fixed at ₹19,500, including furniture and furnishings.

Shah allegedly allowed three other people — Sanjay Dharam Shah, Dhananjay Dharam Shah and Mrutyujaya Dharam Shah — to stay in the flat without informing the owners or obtaining their consent.

The complainant alleged that rent was paid regularly until March 2024, after which the occupants stopped making payments. Despite repeated requests, the outstanding amount allegedly reached ₹5.85 lakh.

Occupants Sought More Time To Vacate Flat

The complaint stated that Shah wrote to the owners twice in 2024 seeking additional time to vacate the property.

In a letter dated July 13, she allegedly said she was looking for another house and would hand over possession once she found one. In another letter dated August 30, she reportedly cited an upcoming wedding and requested more time.

The owners allegedly agreed to the requests, hoping that the occupants would vacate the flat and clear the pending rent. However, the four allegedly continued to occupy the property even after the agreement expired on May 31, 2024.

Senior Citizens Allegedly Threatened When They Sought Possession

When the owners asked the occupants to sign a fresh agreement, pay the outstanding rent or vacate the flat, they allegedly misbehaved with the elderly woman and threatened that they would neither pay rent nor leave the premises.

The complaint further alleged that the occupants threatened to damage the property if the owners attempted to take possession.

On November 18, 2024, Pranatiben reportedly issued a legal notice through an advocate, demanding that the occupants vacate the flat and clear the outstanding dues.

Instead of complying, the accused allegedly demanded money from the senior citizens and threatened to file a false defamation complaint, according to the complaint.

Complaint Also Alleges ₹4.68-Lakh Furniture Loss

The complaint also cites an alleged loss of ₹4.68 lakh relating to furniture in the flat. The circumstances surrounding the claimed loss have not yet been established.

Rupaben stated that her parents had purchased the property to earn rental income and support themselves during their old age. The alleged non-payment of rent and continued occupation of the flat had caused them financial difficulties, the complaint stated.

Family Approached Collector Before Police

The family subsequently approached the Ahmedabad District Collector under the Gujarat Land Grabbing (Prohibition) Act, 2020. Following the proceedings, Rupaben said she was directed to approach the police, prompting her to lodge the complaint against the four occupants.

The Chandkheda police have registered a case, and further investigation is under way.