Pune based real estate developer, Maple Group has trapped in the controversies. On yesterday, the court rejected anticipatory bail filed by Maple Group chairman Sachin Agarwal, Managing Director Naveen Agrawal and Sales Manager Priyanka Agrawal after opposing of Economic Offences Wing.
A case were filed against the group on the charge of cheating by publishing “misleading” advertisement in the newspaper promising flats to buyers as cheaper prices.
Additional Sessions Judge S B Kachare rejected the plea filed by them. Rajendra Mulik, Police inspector of Economic Offence Wing said that “We had opposed the bail application in the court and now the court has rejected the bail and the police are trying to trace the whereabouts of all suspects”.
The CMD and other officials of Maple Group did not turn up before police despite notices served on them after registration of the offence.
An advertisement was published by the Maple Group carried a promise of 1-BHK flats at Rs. 5 lakh on the city outskirt area. A picture of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Pune Guardian Minister Girish Bapat was mentioned in the advertisement, apparently to “mislead” people into believing that the project, titled Maharashtra Housing Day, was a part of Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana (PMAY).
The Group has started refunding the money of depositors after as case was filed against them following. According to the statement of police, around 32,000 people had booked a flats in the Maple Group low cost housing project.
Maple Group had already expressed “regret” over the “confusion” caused by the advertisement(Reopens LGB3).
Meanwhile, EOW today slapped additional charges of forgery and criminal breach of trust against the accused.
Deepak Sakore, the Deputy Commissioner of Police said that we have slapped sections 467 (forgery of valuable security) 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document) and 409 (criminal breach of trust) of Indian Penal Code.
According to his statement, the reason behind imposing the additional charges is that the Maple Group had used the logo of ‘Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana’ in their advertisement without permission. The police had sent some queries to Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and PMAY and sought their response.
And further he also added that they have informed us that no formal permission or proposal was sent to them by the developer before releasing the advertisement.
Source: https://www.business-standard.com/