Nagpur: Yashodhara Nagar police have registered a case against a notorious property dealer for allegedly cheating 32 people by developing an illegal residential layout on a 5.66-acre plot of land and selling plots through forged property documents.

The accused, identified as Shoeb Asad Shaikh Ahmed (40), allegedly prepared a layout under the name of Royal Homes Associates without obtaining the necessary permissions. He reportedly carved out 87 plots on the land and sold them to 32 buyers.

According to the complaint lodged by Vishal Omprakash Bhaisare (44), a resident of Bezanbagh in Jaripatka and partner in Apex Land Developers, the accused allegedly forged the signatures of the landowners on notarised sale agreements to create an impression that he had the authority to develop and sell the property.

Using these allegedly fabricated documents, the accused encroached upon the land, prepared a layout and sold plots to unsuspecting buyers. He also allegedly misrepresented that the land included in the layout belonged to him, thereby inducing buyers to invest their money.

The alleged fraud involved 32 buyers and transactions relating to around 58 gunthas of land, according to the complaint.

Following an inquiry into the complaint, Yashodhara Nagar police registered an offence against Shaikh Ahmed under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including provisions relating to cheating, forgery, criminal trespass and use of forged documents. Further investigation is underway.