Surat: A Surat-based farmer has alleged that he was cheated of Rs 2.14 crore in a high-value land deal involving a prime property in Pal. Police have registered a case against two brothers after they allegedly accepted a substantial advance for the land, sold it to another buyer, and failed to refund the money. The investigation has been transferred to the Surat Economic Offences Wing (EOW).According to the complaint, Hemang Nayak (42), a farmer from Kharwasa village, came into contact with Mayur Patel, Mehul Patel, their father Ashok Patel and grandfather Shanti Patel in 2014. The four allegedly offered to sell their 12,343-square metre land in Pal, claiming it had a clear title. Nayak agreed to purchase the property through his cousin, Jitu Desai, who acted as a mediator.The parties executed an agreement to sell on a Rs 100 stamp paper for a total consideration of Rs 32.19 crore. Nayak paid Rs 2 crore as an advance and was to pay another Rs 5 crore within a month. However, he could not arrange the payment.According to the FIR, Mayur Patel later informed Nayak that the land would be sold to another buyer and assured him that the advance amount would be refunded. The land was eventually sold to another party in 2022, but the money was not returned.Following the intervention of common acquaintances, Nayak and Mayur and Mehul Patel entered into another agreement under which the latter promised to repay Rs 2.24 crore within 12 months. However, the accused allegedly paid only Rs 10 lakh, leaving an outstanding amount of Rs 2.14 crore.After repeated attempts to recover the money failed, Nayak lodged a cheating complaint against Mayur and Mehul Patel. Pal police have registered the case and handed over the investigation to the Surat EOW.
