In a fresh case highlighting the persistent risk of real estate fraud in the Kalyan–Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) region, police at Manpada Police Station, Dombivali have booked two individuals for allegedly forging KDMC documents to obtain a MahaRERA registration for a project named “Dinkar Heights”, located in Dombivli (East).
The accused have been identified as Sachin Anant Nivate (resident of Manpada, Thane) and Anil Chavan (resident of Dombivli East). According to the FIR, the duo allegedly created fake KDMC permission documents and used them to secure MahaRERA certification for the project — misleading potential homebuyers into believing the project was legally sanctioned. They even used the same doucment to register flats with the registration office,
📝 The Case Details
Police Station: Manpada Police Station, Thane
FIR Number: 186/2024
Sections: IPC 420, 465, 467, 468, 471 and relevant sections of Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act
Accused:
- Sachin Anant Nivate (Age ~30, Businessman, Manpada)
- Anil Chavan (Age ~48, Resident of Dombivli East)
Building / Project: Dinkar Heights, Dombivli (E)
Period of Fraudulent Activity: Between 3 December 2022 and 28 April 2023
The FIR states that the accused forged KDMC approvals to show they had legitimate development permissions for Dinkar Heights. These forged documents were then allegedly submitted to MahaRERA to get the project registered — a move that would allow them to market and sell flats under the guise of regulatory compliance. They even used the same docuemnts to register teh apartment with the registration offices of KDMC area.
🏢 Part of a Larger Pattern: KDMC Fake Certificate Scam
This case follows the massive 65-building fake MahaRERA certificate scam that shook the KDMC region in 2022. Investigations led by whistleblower architect Sandeep Patil uncovered how dozens of developers forged municipal permissions and obtained MahaRERA registrations on fraudulent grounds.
- The Bombay High Court has ordered demolition of 65 such buildings, affecting more than 6,500 unsuspecting homebuyers.
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has launched a money-laundering probe.
- MahaRERA has begun statewide verification of Occupancy Certificates (OCs) — of 2,600 submitted, only 136 have been verified so far.
Despite these crackdowns, new cases like Dinkar Heights highlight that fraudulent practices are still ongoing.
🛑 What This Means for Homebuyers
For a typical buyer in Dombivli or Kalyan, a MahaRERA registration number often feels like a stamp of safety. But this case is a harsh reminder:
A MahaRERA registration alone does not guarantee that the project has genuine local approvals. Homebuyers must take the following precautions:
✅ Check municipal approvals directly with KDMC — verify the Commencement Certificate (CC), building plan sanctions, and other permissions.
🔍 Verify land records — cross-check 7/12 extracts and ownership records with government databases.
📑 Insist on Occupancy Certificate (OC) verification — not just what the developer shows, but what KDMC has on record.
⚖️ Consult independent legal & technical experts before signing or paying any amount.
📝 Track MahaRERA’s OC verification updates — especially for projects in KDMC’s jurisdiction, where scrutiny is now stricter.
📰 Why This Matters
Dinkar Heights is not a one-off case. It fits into a larger trend of fraudulent building approvals in fast-developing, affordable housing zones like Dombivli and Kalyan — areas popular among middle-class Mumbaikars looking for relatively lower ticket-size homes.
With rising housing demand and rapid construction, the gap between municipal scrutiny and regulatory oversight has been exploited by unscrupulous developers. Buyers often discover the fraud only years later, when buildings face demolition notices, OC refusals, or litigation.
For innocent buyers, these cases can mean legal battles, loss of savings, and uncertainty about their homes.
⚠️ Bottom Line:
Do not rely on MahaRERA registration alone. Before booking a flat in KDMC or similar regions, personally verify all municipal permissions, involve independent experts, and track regulatory actions. As the Dinkar Heights case shows, forged documents can slip through — but due diligence can save buyers from massive future shocks.
Also Read: KDMC projects cancelled registration
