Surat: A group of distressed flat owners from the Ofira Peak project in Surat’s Vesu area gathered outside the Police Commissioner’s office, alleging “high-handedness” and “cheating” by the builder. Despite paying crores of rupees and completing registration formalities years ago, the buyers claimed they are still awaiting possession of their homes.

According to the protesters, each flat in the project is valued at nearly Rs 2 crore. Many buyers alleged that they have been burdened with paying both bank EMIs and house rent for years, causing severe financial and mental stress.

Talking to the media, Ravi Vinod Kumar Modi, who had booked a flat in the scheme, said, “The builder has committed blatant cheating and fraud. We completed the registry two years ago because he promised us possession, but we are still homeless. I have already paid nearly Rs 50 lakh in interest. For the last six months, all work at the building site has stopped. When we confront him, he threatens us. He tells us, ‘Do whatever you want. If you want to commit suicide, go ahead’. There are 300 flats in this building, and 225 people have already registered, and all are suffering like me.”

Another buyer, senior citizen Suresh Narang, said, “I have been paying EMIs since 2022 while also paying rent for a place in Althan. We have not received possession yet. The builder has cheated to get RERA extensions. As a senior citizen, this is affecting my business and my life. We have filed a complaint with RERA as well; we want our money back with interest for the time we have lost because of his mistakes.”

The flat owners alleged that they have been given repeated assurances over the years without any concrete progress on the project.

The protesters met the Police Commissioner and submitted a formal complaint seeking strict legal action against the builder for alleged fraud and criminal intimidation. According to the flat owners, the Police Commissioner assured them that an investigation would be conducted into the possession delays and the conduct of the builder.

The buyers stated that they would continue pursuing legal remedies through both the police and the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) until they either receive possession of their flats or are refunded their money along with interest. DeshGujarat