Real estate giant Macrotech Developers Ltd (commonly known as Lodha) has alleged that House of Abhinandan Lodha (HoABL) committed forgery and fraud to mislead customers and sell plots under the “Lodha” name. The allegations surfaced after Macrotech informed stock exchanges about the purported scam, claiming that HoABL fabricated documents to falsely associate itself with the Lodha brand.
Allegations of Forgery and Fraud
According to Macrotech Developers, HoABL orchestrated a scheme to deceive customers by falsely presenting itself as part of the Lodha Group, India’s leading real estate company. The alleged fraud involved forging a board resolution and a PAN card belonging to Ashwani Kumar, an independent director of Macrotech Developers and the former Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of Dena Bank.
The alleged forged resolution, dated July 24, 2022, purportedly allowed the creation of four new companies using the Lodha name:
- Lodha Landbuild Infrastructure Pvt Ltd
- Lodha Bhoomi Nirman Pvt Ltd
- Lodha Land Design Infra Pvt Ltd
- Lodha Pictorials Landinfra Pvt Ltd
Macrotech Developers asserts that no such board meeting took place on the claimed date and that the resolution is entirely fabricated, including the letterhead, company stamp, and the director’s signature. Additionally, the PAN card presented as belonging to Ashwani Kumar allegedly contained a different photograph and signature, raising questions about identity theft and impersonation.
The Alleged Scheme
Macrotech claims that the scheme began in 2022 when Varpan Land Developers Pvt Ltd, a lesser-known company under HoABL, allegedly passed a board resolution on July 12, 2022, to change its name to Lodha Landbuild Infrastructure Pvt Ltd or Lodha Bhoomi Nirman Pvt Ltd. Shortly afterward, the alleged forged resolution was used to seek name changes and register new entities under the Lodha brand.
Within weeks, on August 4, 2022, the Registrar of Companies (RoC) in Manesar, Haryana, approved the name change request, allowing HoABL to use the Lodha name. Subsequently, HoABL began marketing one of its projects in Goa under the Lodha Landbuild Infrastructure name. According to Macrotech, the project was sold under the Lodha name between September 2022 and April 2023.
Once the project sales progressed, HoABL allegedly changed the name of the company to “HOABL Landbuild Infrastructure Pvt Ltd” in April 2023, in an attempt to cover its tracks and distance itself from the Lodha brand.
Macrotech Developers’ Response
In its statement, Macrotech Developers expressed shock at the scale of the alleged conspiracy and the misuse of government systems. The company stated:
“It is a clear-cut case of forgery, fraud, and impersonation with intent to cheat and deceive. The concerned entities and individuals have created a completely fake resolution of Macrotech Developers Ltd (‘Lodha’) including a false letterhead, false company stamp, false board meeting date, and content which we have never approved, with a false sign of our Independent Director which is nowhere close to his actual signature.”
Macrotech has stated that it is exploring legal action against HoABL and has submitted a detailed report to the stock exchanges.
Legal Implications and Next Steps
If proven true, these allegations could have significant legal repercussions, including charges of forgery, fraud, impersonation, and criminal conspiracy. The use of forged documents to mislead customers and government authorities could result in serious penalties.
As of now, HoABL has not publicly responded to the allegations. Further investigations are likely to follow as Macrotech pursues legal remedies to address the alleged forgery and identity theft.
Also Read: I DIRECT YOU: MANJU LODHA URGES ABHISHEK & ABHINANDAN TO END FEUD, REMEMBERING RAM & LAXMAN
