• Fake plan and misrepresentations done in a sale deed to get it registered and mutated

Dear Sir
As you are aware of my earlier writ petition on one illegal constructions of an additional floor on a 70 yrs old Building not having any structural stability certificate with the KMC authorities.
The Buyer and Seller who are the 2nd & 3rd parties have enclosed a Fake sketch plan which says there are 10 offices on an illegally constructed floor. They have gone one step ahead by stating in the deed " that the 1st Party had duly applied for extension of the Building plan to construct further storey from the competent authority of Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the same was sanctioned and upon obtaining the said plan the said 1st party started construction of the said Multistoried building on the said plot of land,duly completed the said constructions in all respect and duly made it habitable in all respect official purpose".

I have complained to Municipal Commissioner,Mayor,Executive Engineer,Registrar of Assurance,Police Commissioner,DCP,Officer in Charge local PS,DG Buildings,DG Fire letting them know that the concerned parties B&C have fraudently enclosed a fake plan and misrepresentations in a valuable document in getting the floor registered and mutated. Although it's just a week since I lodged a complaint but wanted to know what I have to do ahead to make sure that the competent authorities take appropriate actions against the Buyer and Seller who have both sold and bought the property on a fake plan & by misrepresentations. Do I have to file a writ or a PILin case if any of the above authorities don't take any steps against the people concerned who are very rich, influential & politically connected?

Interestingly this additional floor is the one where KMC had filed a FIR for unauthorised construction,had also shown demolition proceedings on the same floor. But the parties have managed to register & mutate the property this way.
My appeal has been drafted for the appeal bench as the case was dismissed on stupid grounds that the illegal constructions had come 7 yrs back and is an old issue. The opposition advocates tried to look into the defects of my writ petition where I had not filed Speed Post Delivery Report. Let me be honest it was a biased judgement made by Single Bench Judge.

Please advice me how do I file a FIR or complain or go ahead with this Fake plan and Misrepresentations in sale deed which I think is an act of forgery and cheating. 

Your valuable advise sought.
Regards 
Rajnish Sharma
Asked 12 months ago in Criminal Law
Religion: Hindu

13 answers received in 1 day.

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14 Answers

  1. Offences under Section 228 of fabricating false evidence, offence under 340 of using a forged document as genuine on BNS is committed. These are offences against public justice.
  2. You need to make a complaint under Section 215 of B.N.S.S. 2023 to the  authority where the  forged document are submitted. Said authority will initiate criminal proceedings against the  
  3. If the said authority failed to do so, you can directly approach High Court through a writ petition.

Ravi Shinde
Advocate, Hyderabad
5130 Answers
42 Consultations

File appeal against dismissal of your petition by the High Court

 

2) File RTI application as to what action has been taken on your complaint regarding illegal and fraudulent sketch plan

 

3) you are at liberty to file an FIR

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99782 Answers
8145 Consultations

File writ petition in HC to direct police to investigate your complaint and submit report 

 

also to direct miuncipal corporation to to demolish illegal construction done on basis of fake site plan 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99782 Answers
8145 Consultations

In dealing with the complex situation of illegal construction, misrepresentation, and potential forgery involved in the sale and mutation of a property, you're confronting substantial challenges, especially when influential parties are involved. Here’s a streamlined strategy to consider:

  1. Legal Representation: Given the complexity and potential for bias in local adjudication as you've experienced, it's essential to have robust legal representation. An experienced lawyer in property law and litigation can help navigate the system, ensuring all legal avenues are explored and leveraged effectively.

  2. FIR and Police Action:


    • Direct Approach to Police: Since you have already contacted local police and other authorities without substantial progress, consider escalating the issue. A formal First Information Report (FIR) regarding the alleged forgery and cheating involved in the property deal should be filed. If the local police station is unresponsive, you can approach the Police Superintendent or the Anti-Corruption Bureau.

    • Legal Mandate via Court: If the police do not register the FIR, you can approach the High Court with a writ petition requesting the court to direct the police to register an FIR and investigate the matter. The applicable sections for forgery and cheating could include Sections 420 (Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 465 (Forgery), 467 (Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), and 468 (Forgery for purpose of cheating) of the Indian Penal Code.

  3. Writ Petition in High Court:


    • Filing a Writ: You can file a writ petition in the High Court if there is inaction on part of the municipal and police authorities. The writ would seek a directive for an investigation and appropriate action based on the allegations of forgery and misuse of official documents.

    • Public Interest Litigation (PIL): Since this issue involves public interest concerning unauthorized construction and misuse of municipal processes, a PIL could also be a strategic approach. This would focus on the broader impact of such malpractices on public safety and legal integrity.

  4. Continuous Legal Pressure:


    • Following Up: Continuously follow up on your communications and legal applications. Use the Right to Information Act (RTI) strategically to gather official communications and decisions regarding the property.

    • Media and Public Support: Sometimes, bringing media attention to cases involving high-level corruption or influence can add public pressure and prompt quicker official actions.

  5. Engage with Anti-Corruption and Civic Bodies: Engage with anti-corruption bodies or NGOs focusing on legal accountability and urban planning to garner support and potentially escalate the issue beyond local authorities.

  6. Prepare for a Prolonged Battle: Given the potential for delays and resistance due to the influence and connections of the other parties, prepare for a prolonged legal battle. Ensure you have the necessary financial, emotional, and legal support to sustain this effort.

This strategy aims to use both direct legal action and broader public and institutional engagement to address the corruption and illegal activities effectively. It's crucial to remain persistent and keep all your legal and communicative actions well-documented.

For detailed, personalized advice, consider a phone consultancy. Hope you find the information helpful. You are free to contact me for further discussion. If you could spare two minutes of your time to write a review, it would be greatly appreciated and bring immense happiness to read it. Thank you

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
2073 Answers
14 Consultations

T thanks for your appreciation,

 

file with petition in the High Court to direct municipal Corporation to demolish illegal construction

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99782 Answers
8145 Consultations

If you have not raised any such ground  in your appeal filed in HC you cannot make out a new case in your written submission 

 

act as per your lawyers advice 

Ajay Sethi
Advocate, Mumbai
99782 Answers
8145 Consultations

Given the complexities of your case involving illegal construction, misrepresentation in sale deeds, and the potentially fraudulent actions of influential parties, deciding the best legal approach involves strategic considerations about timing, jurisdiction, and specific legal remedies. Here’s an approach based on the latest updates from your situation:

Strategic Approach for Filing in Appeal Bench vs. New Writ Petition

  1. Appeal Bench Submission:


    • Timing and Relevance: If your appeal is already scheduled and the issues concerning misrepresentations and fake plans are central to the arguments in the appeal, it may be effective to include this evidence and argumentation in your current appeal submission. This allows you to address all related issues in a consolidated manner.

    • Efficiency: Adding to the existing appeal can be more efficient, assuming that the appellate court is willing to consider these new submissions as relevant to the grounds of the appeal.

  2. Filing a Fresh Writ:


    • Separate Legal Issues: If the appellate court deems the new submissions about the fake plans and safety violations as outside the scope of the current appeal, or if these issues require detailed examination or a different legal remedy, filing a separate writ might be necessary.

    • Specific Relief: A new writ in the High Court, specifically targeting the fraudulent actions and safety violations, might allow for a more focused legal approach to obtain a directive for immediate action or investigation by authorities.

Legal Steps and Considerations


  • Consultation with Legal Expert: Given the mixed advice from your advocate and your relative practicing in Gurgaon and NCR, a detailed consultation with a legal expert who specializes in property law and urban regulations is critical. This expert can provide clarity on whether these new issues should be incorporated into your existing appeal or handled through a separate legal filing.

  • Document Preparation: Prepare comprehensive documentation that includes all evidence of the misrepresentations, the lack of safety measures, and any correspondence with authorities. This documentation will support either your amended appeal or a new writ, depending on the strategy you choose.

Additional Legal Actions


  • Public Interest Litigation (PIL): Given the potential risk to public safety due to the unauthorized construction and lack of safety measures, consider filing a PIL. This could address the broader implications for community safety and ensure that public bodies are held accountable.

  • Engagement with Civic Bodies: Continue to engage with local civic bodies like the KMC, fire department, and building regulators. Your ongoing communication and the legal pressure from court cases might encourage more decisive action.

Media and Public Advocacy


  • Media Involvement: Given the public interest and safety risk involved, consider involving the media. Public exposure can often accelerate responses from hesitant or slow-moving authorities and can help rally public support for your cause.

Finalizing Your Approach


  • Legal Representation: Ensure that your legal representation is well-versed in both appellate and writ procedures. The complexity of property law and regulatory compliance in cases involving old buildings requires specialized knowledge.

  • Financial and Emotional Preparedness: Prepare for a potentially prolonged legal battle, both financially and emotionally. Support from family, friends, and community can be invaluable in such cases.

The decision to include new issues in your upcoming appellate submission or to file a separate writ should be made based on legal advice tailored to the specificities of your case and the procedural rules of the courts involved. The goal is to address all facets of the issue comprehensively, ensuring both a resolution to your legal challenges and the safety of the building's occupants and the public.

Shubham Goyal
Advocate, Delhi
2073 Answers
14 Consultations

Dear Client,

Given the gravity of the case involving submitting a fake plan and misrepresentation in the sale deed for registration and mutation of an illegally constructed floor, you can take some legal steps to ensure accountability and action. First, formally lodge a complaint under Sections 318(4) (Cheating), 336 (Forgery), 338 (Forgery of valuable security), 336 (Forgery for purpose of cheating), and 340(Using forged documents as genuine) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) with the local police or Anti-Cheating Department, providing all supporting evidence, including certified copies of demolition proceedings, unauthorized construction reports, and misrepresentation in the sale deed. Section 175(3) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) empowers you to petition the Magistrate for registration of FIR and directing investigation by the police in case police turn obstinate and refuse to take action.

 

You can file a writ petition or PIL in the High Court seeking court intervention to order a proper investigation, enforcement of demolition of the illegal structure, and penalize those involved in submitting fraudulent documents. Since the appeal bench submission is due, you can bring these new facts into the present case or file a fresh writ, your advocate has advised, to question the systemic failure and claim accountability. The punishment under Section 338 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for forgery can go up to life imprisonment, depending on the seriousness of the offence. Simultaneously, engaging the Municipal Magistrate for enforcing compliance with KMC regulations and RTI responses will strengthen your case. Ensure all submissions are backed by concrete evidence to counter political or external influence effectively.

Hope you find this answer beneficial for resolving the dispute. 

 

Anik Miu
Advocate, Bangalore
11014 Answers
125 Consultations

In the given situation you can prefer an appeal against single bench judgement.

You may have to first of all ascertain the case before you, the relief sought by you, the pleadings made by you to support your relief sought and if you have complied with all legal formalities.

After that you may find out that what was the reason that the high court dismissed your writ petition after which you can vent out your grievances in the form of memorandum of grounds of appeal before filling the writ appeal.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89984 Answers
2492 Consultations

If in the writ petition you have not added the documents describing the irregularities you observed you may obtain substantial documentary evidence to prove your allegations against the builder or seller along with the structural audit about the status of 70 years old building, illegal construction of additional floor, submission of fraud and fabricated document to falsely assert the approval for extension and other irregularities done by them which endanger the inhabitants, draft a proper and perfect complaint, send them by registered post to all authorities concerned,, wait for a reasonable period of at least 10 days for a reply, if you don't get a reply or if the response is not proper or not solving the present problem then you can take legal action either by making a criminal complaint with police or file a writ petition before high court separately if you are personally affected or a PIL if it is a public concern issue.

You may have to discuss with your advocate in detail and proceed further.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89984 Answers
2492 Consultations

Submissions in appeal can be filed but same should be part of your pleadings. If your writ petition is specifically filed for the same then it will be more effective remedy 

Prashant Nayak
Advocate, Mumbai
34515 Answers
249 Consultations

Since the system is corrupt from top to bottom you may not get justice by approaching them again and again.

It will be a futile exercise.

Instead you may first of all create documentary evidences for the steps taken by you in this regard and then once you feel you are fully equipped with the material information for fighting the case through high court, you may institute a proper litigation against not only the fraudsters but also by implicating the authorities who were non cooperative or remained silent to your complaints seeking direction by court against them for necessary relief.

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89984 Answers
2492 Consultations

As far as writ appeal is concerned you may have to express your grievances against the judgement and cannot be allowed to include any new topic or subject not even any new document would be entertained.

As advised by an advocate you may proceed with a new writ petition containing all those grievances you have expressed here in all your posts including the copies of the complaints made with many authorities in this regard.

You may have to file a writ petition with proper and substantial pleadings by complying with the procedures of law fully and properly.

 

T Kalaiselvan
Advocate, Vellore
89984 Answers
2492 Consultations

Advice for Next Steps

Based on the details shared, here’s a concise guide to proceed effectively:

1. Address the Complaint About the Fake Plan and Misrepresentations

  • File a Criminal Complaint:

    • Approach the local police station with a detailed written complaint regarding the use of a fake plan and misrepresentations in the sale deed.
    • Request the registration of an FIR under the following applicable sections of the IPC:


      • Section 420: Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property.

      • Section 465: Forgery.

      • Section 468: Forgery for the purpose of cheating.

      • Section 471: Using a forged document as genuine.

  • Escalate to Senior Police Authorities:

    • If the local PS refuses to register the FIR, escalate the matter to the DCP or Commissioner of Police with a copy of your complaint and evidence.

  • File a Complaint in Court:

    • Under Section 156(3) of the CrPC, approach the Magistrate to direct the police to register an FIR and investigate.

2. Pursue Civil Remedies

  • File a Writ Petition in the High Court:

    • If municipal authorities fail to act on your complaints, file a writ petition under Article 226 of the Constitution of India against:

      • The Kolkata Municipal Corporation (KMC) for dereliction of duty.
      • The parties involved in the fraudulent transaction.

    • Seek directions for:

      • Immediate demolition of the illegal structure.
      • Punitive action against those responsible for submitting fake plans.

  • Appeal Submission:

    • Include the facts about the fake plan and misrepresentations as part of your submissions in the appeal. Ensure the information is framed clearly as new evidence supporting your case.
    • If your advocate suggests filing a fresh writ petition instead, consider doing so for a focused argument on the fraudulent acts.

3. Strengthen Evidence Collection

  • RTI Applications:

    • Continue pursuing RTI responses from the KMC, Fire Department, and DG Buildings to gather official documents that confirm violations and procedural lapses.
    • Request copies of building plans, sanctions, demolition orders, and any related correspondence.

  • Obtain Certified Copies:

    • From the Sub-Registrar’s office for sale deed documents.
    • From the Municipal Magistrate Court for any pending cases on unauthorized construction.

4. Highlight Public Safety Concerns

  • In all communications (with authorities and in court submissions), emphasize:

    • The potential threat to public safety due to the lack of structural stability, fire safety measures, and water provisions.
    • The increased load and risk of collapse in case of any failure.

5. Additional Tips for Execution

  • Consult Experts:

    • Engage a structural engineer to provide an independent report on the building’s condition, which can support your claims in court.

  • Public Interest Litigation (PIL):

    • If this case has broader public implications, consider filing a PIL in the High Court to address illegal constructions and KMC’s systemic lapses.

6. Potential Punishments for Offenders


  • Cheating and Forgery:

    • Sections 420, 465, 468, and 471 IPC carry imprisonment up to 7 years along with fines.


  • Action Against Municipal Officers:

    • If corruption or negligence is proven, disciplinary action and prosecution can be pursued.

By pursuing both criminal and civil actions while leveraging public safety concerns, you can pressurize the authorities and the involved parties to take corrective action.

Aman Verma
Advocate, Delhi
502 Answers

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