MUMBAI: The CBI has booked two Mumbai-based construction firms based on a Supreme Court directive which had sought an investigation of construction firms across the country over allegations related to criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal misconduct.
The report prima facie alleged dishonest luring of homebuyers to make payments to the builders who never completed the residential projects, CBI officials said on Thursday. The SC, in its August 6 order, had directed the CBI to conduct a thorough investigation into the allegations listed in a special leave petition, and relied upon documents cited in the report of an amicus curiae appointed by the court. Acting further on the SC’s order, the CBI also registered three separate cases on Tuesday against builders in Bengaluru, and on Thursday carried out searches at 12 locations in Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru.
“Five cases have been registered, three against Bengaluru builders and two against the Mumbai builders, for an alleged nexus between the builders and officials of financial institutions, leading to the defrauding of innocent homebuyers,” a CBI official said. “A large number of homebuyers have approached the Supreme Court praying for relief in the builders’ fraudulent activities, which have affected their lives for many years.”
