Mumbai Police Book Bhandup Brothers for Forging Heir Affidavits in Rs 450 Crore Land Fraud
Three brothers from Bhandup stand accused of forging affidavits to exclude their late sister's children from ancestral property rights, enabling them to sell prime land valued at Rs 450 crore. The fraud targeted official records like the property card and 7/12 extract, key documents for land ownership in Maharashtra. This case exposes vulnerabilities in inheritance verification, leaving genuine heirs without recourse for nearly two decades.
Family Ties Turn Sour
The dispute centers on land at Lake Road in Bhandup West, with CTS numbers 204 and 204/1 to 6, originally owned by Shankar Narayan Gavand. His daughter Bhavana, who died in 2005, left behind two minor children, Neeraj Malvi and his sister Hemangi. Neeraj's father, Prakash Malvi, claims the uncles—Hitendra, Mahendra, and Narendra Gawand—promised a 5% share for the children as Bhavana's legal heirs.
After Bhavana's death, the children briefly lived with uncle Narendra Gawand. Promises of inheritance faded as the brothers allegedly acted swiftly. In 2024, when Prakash sought to sell part of the land for family needs, he found the entire parcel gone, sold in 2010 to M/s Newkem Products Corporation.
Forged Documents Seal the Deal
Just two months after Bhavana's death on May 9, 2005, the brothers filed a false affidavit on July 6, claiming only they and their mother qualified as heirs. This excluded Bhavana's children entirely. Authorities updated the property card and 7/12 extract—Maharashtra's primary land revenue record—based on the submission.
Armed with clean records, the brothers executed a conveyance deed on April 29, 2010, transferring the land to the company. Nimish Vajralal Sura, a partner in Newkem, faces charges too, as records show he knew of Bhavana's claim through family meetings from 2003 to 2005 where she voiced objections.
Police Probe Targets Key Sections
Neeraj Malvi, 27, from Thane West, filed the complaint after obtaining records from Mulund City Survey Office. Bhandup police registered an FIR under Indian Penal Code sections for forgery, cheating, and criminal conspiracy. Investigation now traces the transaction chain and verifies family meetings.
Challenges in Securing Inheritance Rights
Maharashtra's land records system relies heavily on self-declarations like affidavits, making it prone to manipulation, especially when heirs are minors or absent. Such cases delay justice, as seen here with a 19-year gap before detection. Strengthening biometric verification or mandatory heir certificates could prevent exclusions, protecting vulnerable families from intra-family disputes over high-value assets.
