The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has registered a case of fraud against the real estate company RSS Estate, its proprietor Shaili Thapar, and his son Sahir Thapar. They are accused of duping a disabled elderly man and his wife by fraudulently registering 36,000 square feet of property in their name. A few officials of the Southern district’s sub-registrar office are also alleged to be involved in the case.
The Delhi High Court has ordered the accused builder to refrain from obstructing the movement of the complainant couple in any manner. The court also decreed that no third party shall intervene in the disputed land.
What is the dispute?
The case pertains to the Gogiya farm situated on Vasant Kunj’s Church Mall Road. The owner, Monica Gogiya, had entered into a contract with Shaili Thapar to sell a 36,000-square-foot portion of this farm to him for Rs 38 crores. Thapar paid Rs 10 crores as an advance and promised to pay the rest of the amount before the registry. On 23 February, the builder allegedly took Monica Gogiya to Mehrauli’s sub-registrar office and completed all necessary formalities to register the property in his name, even though Monica Gogiya refused to give her consent for the registry in the presence of the sub-registrar until the remaining amount was paid and returned home. MonicaGogiya again approached sub-registrar Shobha Toula and DM M. Chaitanya Prasad on 27 February and requested them not to approve the registry until the full payment was made.
As per the allegations, sub-registrar Shobha Toula colluded with Shaili Thapar instead and served a notice to Gogiya demanding a reply within three days. However, the notice issued on 29 February was only sent on 2 March. Monica Gogiya claims she submitted her reply on time. Yet, the entire property was registered in Shaili Thapar’s name, overlooking all facts.
Illegal Occupation?
It is alleged that on March 8, builder Shaili Thapar, along with around five dozen goons, forcibly entered Gogiya Farm and illegally built a wall, blocking their access. The victim approached the Delhi High Court regarding this matter, and on March 9, the court ordered the builder not to obstruct the victim family's access and to cease any construction until a decision is made.
Shaili Thapar, on the other hand, claims that the deadline to buy the property for Rs 38 crore ended on February 10, as per the agreement. The Thapar family purportedly issued public information regarding this on March 2. Thus, he believes it is incorrect to claim that the Gogiya family did not receive the remaining amount under the deal.
Thapar further states that he did two registries for the land without any new contract. According to him, this occurred with the mutual consent of both parties. When asked how anyone could agree to a price of Rs 10 crore for a property valued at Rs 38 crore just a month ago, Thapar only reiterated that the registry happened with mutual consent.
The victim family eventually approached the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) against the revenue department officials and the builder. MonicaGogiya has alleged that the builder and his son, Sahir Thapar, are land mafias and that they are now looking to usurp the remaining property of the family, valued at approximately Rs 95 crore.
Delhi High Court judge Neena Bansal Krishna, who is hearing the case, ordered builder Shaili Thapar on Monday not to obstruct the victim family's access. Additionally, she ordered that no third party be involved in the disputed property and that the status quo be maintained until a decision is reached.
