Three Arrested in Hyderabad 2-BHK Housing Allotment Scam in Alwal, Forged Certificates Seized
Hyderabad police have apprehended three individuals involved in a large-scale scam promising government 2-BHK (double-bedroom-hall-kitchen) houses in Alwal. The fraudsters allegedly cheated close to 100 families by collecting money and issuing forged allotment certificates.
The arrests were made on June 24, following an investigation initiated by the Alwal police station based on a complaint filed on May 20. Authorities seized 79 fake documents and three mobile phones used in the commission of the fraud.
Details of the Arrests
The arrested individuals have been identified as Timmiri Gopinath Pushpalatha, 54, a resident of Trimulgherry, her son Timmiri Gopinath Vishal, 21, and Mahender Singh, 45, who owns the Radhaswamy photocopy centre in Trimulgherry.
Police investigations revealed that the accused collected sums ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh from victims. They falsely claimed to have the ability to secure allotments under the Telangana government’s 2-BHK housing scheme, which aims to provide affordable housing to the economically weaker sections.
Modus Operandi
Pushpalatha was reportedly projected as a senior official within the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) to lend credibility to their claims. This tactic convinced many applicants that their promises of house allotments were legitimate. To further deceive victims, the accused provided them with forged government allotment certificates, creating the illusion that their housing applications had been sanctioned.
Victims reportedly waited for nearly three years, only to discover they had been defrauded. The complaint that led to the arrests was lodged by Gogikar Prasad.
Key Facts
| Detail | Description |
|---|---|
| Location of Scam | Alwal, Hyderabad |
| Scheme Targeted | Government 2-BHK housing scheme |
| Number of Victims | Nearly 100 families |
| Arrested | Pushpalatha, Vishal, Mahender Singh |
| Seizures | 79 forged certificates, 3 mobile phones |
| Amount Collected | ₹50,000 to ₹1 lakh per victim |
Ongoing Investigation and Public Advisory
During the investigation, police confirmed that Pushpalatha and Vishal were instrumental in preparing and distributing the fake certificates, while Mahender Singh used his photocopy centre to design and print these fraudulent documents.
Authorities also stated that the prime accused, Jayaraj Gangadharan, along with Nisha Raj, Chintu Raj, and an individual linked to a rubber stamp business in Ranigunj, are currently absconding. Efforts are underway to trace and apprehend them.
The Hyderabad City Police have issued a strong advisory to the public, urging citizens not to pay money to individuals who claim they can secure government benefits such as housing, jobs, land allotments, or welfare schemes. They recommend verifying such claims directly with the concerned government department before making any payments. This incident highlights the importance for Hyderabad residents to be vigilant and verify official communications regarding government schemes through legitimate channels.
Source: The Hindu – Hyderabad (https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/three-arrested-in-2-bhk-housing-allotment-scam-in-hyderabads-alwal-79-forged-certificates-seized/article71146886.ece)