The director of a prominent real estate firm, Umrao Singh Prithviraj Ostwal, was taken into custody by Thane police on Monday for allegedly duping buyers of several crores by selling apartments built using forged construction permits.
According to an official release from the Mira Bhayander-Vasai Virar police, Ostwal, head of Ostwal Builders Pvt Ltd, is accused of creating fake revised permits and maps. He used these documents to unlawfully construct additional apartment units in Ostwal Paradise Building No. 6 in Mira Bhayander and sold them to unsuspecting buyers.
A complaint was filed on May 16 at the Nayanagar Police Station, under sections related to cheating, criminal breach of trust, forgery, and conspiracy. The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) led the probe, which confirmed Ostwal’s direct involvement in the scam.
Officials stated that when police arrived at Ostwal’s Mira Bhayander residence on Saturday, he tried to flee but was apprehended after a short chase and handed over to the EOW.
Further investigations revealed 13 registered criminal cases against him across various police stations, including Navghar, Mira Road, Nayanagar, and Kashimira in Thane district. Authorities have warned buyers to carefully verify all property permits before purchase.
