A case of alleged cheating has rocked the New Chandigarh real estate scene. Rohtas Goel, chairman of Omaxe, New Chandigarh and marketing director Manoj Soori and marketing manager Rohit Kumar have been charged by a police for criminal conspiracy and deceiving of Non-Resident Indian in Mohali for criminal conspiracy and deceiving.
The complaint, Naresh Kaushal, a citizen of the United States who purchased a residential property in Omaxe’s Phase I project, claims the corporation cheated him. Kaushal says he signed an agreement in June 2023 to buy a property worth Rs 1.61 crore (about $200,000 USD) on behalf of his father, Sukhdev Rai Kaushal. Additionally, he says he paid Rs 28 lakh (about $35,000 USD) as down payment.
Kaushal’s complaint is about a lack of openness and claimed service problems by Omaxe. Despite numerous attempts, he claims that the corporation failed to give him the necessary explanations. Frustrated with the lack of movement, Kaushal filed a police complaint with the Punjab Police’s NRI unit in January 2024.
The situation took a more concerning turn when Kaushal discovered, according to his claims, that the very same property he had an agreement for was sold to another buyer in August 2023. This raises serious questions about Omaxe’s business practices and potential double-selling.
The police of Mohali registered a case under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) against the accused person. These sections carry significant penalties upon conviction.
While an Omaxe official asserts that the issue is being handled through discussion, Kaushal’s situation has raised worries among NRI property purchasers in the region. The event emphasizes the necessity of due diligence and openness in real estate deals, especially for individuals investing from outside.
This case is a vivid example of the caution that buyers should observe, when purchasing property. Besides, the developer should have clear communication and a transparent sales process. The case on the Omaxe chairman and marketing officials may become high profile, and to create an ethical conduct landmark in the real estate industry, justice must be served for the NRI buyer.
