Palghar, April 8 A 48-year-old real estate agent has been arrested for allegedly grabbing and illegally selling another person's land in Palghar district, Maharashtra, police said on Wednesday.
The accused, Surendra Pratap Singh, alias Randha, is alleged to have taken possession of 210 'gunthas' (approximately 5.25 acres) belonging to the complainant in the Rajavali village between 2020 and 2025, according to the official.
"Singh sold the land to a builder without completing the agreed transaction with the landowner," said senior inspector Pramod Badakh of the crime unit-IV of the Mira-Bhayandar, Vasai-Virar police.
Subsequently, an unauthorized building was constructed on the land, and Singh sold the units, thereby cheating both the complainant and buyers, he said.
"When the complainant approached Singh demanding payment for his land, he was abused and threatened with dire consequences, including death threats," the official said.
A case was registered against Singh at the Waliv police station on April 2, under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to cheating, criminal intimidation, and assault, he said.
Singh has been remanded in police custody until April 10, he said.
Police said a background check showed that the accused faces at least 11 cases.
Further investigation is underway, the official added.