Pune police book 13 over alleged Rs 89.07 lakh fraud on 51 flat and plot buyers

Allegations have surfaced that 51 people in Pune were cheated of a total of Rs 89.07 lakh on the promise of cheap flats and open plots. Bharati Vidyapeeth police have registered a case against 13 people, including Kisan Dhavji Rathod, owner of Infratech company. It is alleged that customers paid booking amounts but were never handed the properties promised. According to the complaint, the alleged fraud took place between 2023 and September 18, 2026.

The complaint was filed by Vandana Dnyandev Khandare, 38, who lives in Indiranagar, Bibwewadi. Police said Khandare is a nurse. In July 2023 she saw an advertisement on social media for Infratech's "Katraj Valley" housing project, which offered flats at affordable prices.

She then visited the company's office in Mangdewadi and met manager Amol Gore. She booked two flats priced at Rs 8 lakh and Rs 14 lakh and paid Rs 2 lakh as booking money. Chaitrali Dahiwal signed the agreement with her on behalf of the company. The complainant alleges that Sagar Gole and Amol Gore also assured her that construction would begin within six months. But even after six months she received no information about construction.

When Khandare went to the company's office to ask for her money back, she was told that manager Amol Gore, Chaitrali Dahiwal and Sagar Gole had left the company. She alleges that when she asked the staff to return the money, she was told: "We did not take your money. Do what you want." She then complained to Bharati Vidyapeeth police.

Police investigation found that Infratech allegedly took booking amounts from many people by promising flats and open plots, but did not give them possession. The total alleged fraud is Rs 89.07 lakh from 51 people.

Some other customers also voiced their anger. Flat buyer Karuna Vijay Gaikwad said: "I booked a flat in Infratech in 2026. The company had said construction would begin around Dussehra, that is, within two months. We were told that the more money we paid, the sooner the work would happen. But construction never began at all."

Flat buyer Kalpana Gaikwad said: "We booked a flat after seeing an advertisement for a project in Ambegaon. Middle-class families put in their life savings because an affordable home near the highway was promised. Even after two years we have not got possession. Not even basic excavation has been done, yet the company is demanding money in the name of the agreement."

Flat buyer Santosh Parde said: "I booked a flat in Infratech in 2023. Now it has emerged that about 10 of the company's offices in Pune have shut down. We feel cheated. The administration should act against those responsible."

Police have registered the case against company owner Kisan Dhavji Rathod, Sushalini Kisan Rathod, Shivkanya Rathod, Pranavi Bhagwat Aneraw, Chaitrali Vishal Dahiwal, Sanjana Rathod, Anil Shankar Deshmukh, Hanumant Balu Gore, Rajesh Rangrao Kakade, Balasaheb Kondiba Ghogare, Abhishek Chandrashekhar Sasvade, Sagar Gole and Amol Gore. Attempts were made to seek the company's version from its representatives, but there was no response. Police Sub-Inspector Patil is investigating the case.