Ahmedabad developer booked for ₹50 lakh ‘Times Square’ office deal fraud

The Crime Branch of Ahmedabad Police has registered an offence against a developer for allegedly cheating a Gandhinagar resident of ₹50 lakh by promising to sell two offices in a commercial scheme on Sindhu Bhavan Road and failing to execute the sale documents even after completion of the project.

The accused, Anilbhai Bhikhabhai Vibhani, a resident of Thaltej, has been booked following a complaint lodged on February 19.

According to Crime branch, Bharatsinh Jugatsinh Zala (50), a resident of Dehgam taluka in Gandhinagar district, stated that in June 2020 he was approached by Vibhani with an offer to purchase two offices in a commercial scheme named 'Times Square' on Sindhu Bhavan Road.

Zala alleged that Vibhani, who was developing flats and office projects at various locations in Ahmedabad, induced him to invest in the scheme by assuring him that sale deeds would be executed once the offices were ready. Trusting the representation, the complainant paid ₹50 lakh by cheque towards the purchase of the two offices.

However, despite the completion of the scheme, the accused allegedly failed to execute the sale documents in favour of the complainant. When pressed for either the registered sale deeds or a refund of the amount, Vibhani is said to have issued a cheque of ₹20,00,000 as partial repayment. The cheque was returned unpaid due to insufficient funds.

The complainant has alleged that neither has the balance amount been repaid nor have the promised sale documents been furnished till date. He has accused Vibhani of criminal breach of trust and cheating.

Police said the total value of the property involved in the alleged offence stands at ₹50 lakh. An FIR has been registered at the City Crime Branch. Officials said further investigation is under way to examine the financial transactions, project documentation and other related records.