The Brave Pedestrian

Mumbai, 6th November, 2017: About 60 victims of Bhagtani builder's Riyo project gathered yesterday (Sunday) at Sanjay Gandhi National Park at Borivali East, to discuss and debate about the way forward in their legal battle for criminal prosecution of Bhagtani and recovery of their money. Many topics were discussed, including approaching various agencies and seeking advice from legal experts. Also, an open letter addressed to Chief Justice Manjula Chellur was signed by 55 aggrieved persons who are intervenors in Anticipatory Bail Application (ABA) hearings being heard by Justice A M Badar. The letter raises serious concerns about Justice Badar's leniency and dubious orders. This gathering of cheated flat-buyers signed an open letter to Chief Justice Manjula Chellur, complaining about Justice A M Badar's dubious orders favouring Bhagtani builders. The signed letter will be dispatched by speedpost later today. Several others, including Chief Justice of India and...

To Justice Manjula Chellur, Chief Justice of Bombay High Court, Through The Registrar Bombay High Court, Fort, Mumbai 5th November, 2017 Sub: Justice Badar's Zigzag Orders in ABA no. 1533 of 2017 Dear Madam, Hundreds of victims of Bhagtani builders are on an anxiety-inducing roller-coaster ride, thanks to the strange twists and turns in proceedings of ABA no. 1533 in Bombay High Court. Seven orders h ave so far been passed -- four by Justice Revati Mohite Dere and three by Justice Badar. The latter's orders are increasingly lenient and devoid of judicial logic. Repeatedly, orders are passed based on unverified claims made by the applicants (Dipesh, Mukesh and Lakshman Bhagtani). A blind eye is turned to total non-compliance of anticipatory bail conditions mentioned in applicant Dipesh Bhagtani's affidavit . The most recent order is a cringe-worthy clean chit to the Bhagtanis for expressing the intention to approach National Corporate Law Tribunal (NCLT)....

Mumbai, 1 November, 2017: Some FIRs against Bhagtani cite only IPC sections, whereas others cite MOFA sections also. No FIR currently cites that Bhagtani violated the law banning money circulation schemes, although Bhagtani's allotment letter points to such a scheme. The definition of Money Circulation Scheme in Prize Chits & Money Circulation Schemes Banning Act (PCMC Act) is: "money circulation scheme" means any scheme, by whatever name called, for the making of quick or easy money, or for the receipt of any money or valuable thing as the consideration for a promise to pay money, on any event or contingency relative or applicable to the enrollment of members into the scheme, whether or not such money or thing is derived from the entrance money of the members of such scheme or periodical subscriptions." For ease of understanding, we can simplify this definition like this: "money circulation scheme" means any scheme, by whatever name called, for...

28th October, 2017, Mumbai: Is there an alternative view of Bhagtani's scam? Is there a radically different way to frame the issues, to reshape the legal battle in order to get a better grip on the slippery Bhagtani? Consider an alternative narrative, which we may name Bhagtani's Disguised Chit Fund Scam. If this alternative interpretation of facts fits the reality, and if it is supported by the Allotment Letters, Cancellation Deeds, transactions, etc, then it will enable you to file stronger FIRs by including the sections of Maharashtra Protection of Interests of Depositors Act, (MPID Act) .  MPID Act is for protecting the public from companies that fraudulently lure investors to deposit their funds with extremely attractive rates of interest, and then willful ly neglect to return the funds . Does this sound familiar to you? Does it make you feel that you have been victims of Bhagtani's Disguised Chit Fund Scam? If so, read further and ponder. (Note: For ease of u...