Lower Parel couple booked for cheating Worli woman of Rs 53.8 lakh in land scam

The NM Joshi Marg Police have booked a couple based in Lower Parel for allegedly cheating a 52-year-old woman from Worli of Rs 53.8 lakh. According to law enforcement officials, the accused manipulated a decades-old personal relationship to gain the victim's trust before duping her out of her money under various pretexts, including a promise to purchase land in Ratnagiri.

Police records state that the 52-year-old complainant had previously received Rs 41 lakh as her share from a family property settlement. Following the property division, she began living separately. However, she was residing alone without immediate family support while undergoing medical treatment for severe health conditions, specifically arthritis and appendicitis.

The victim had known the main accused, identified as 58-year-old Rajendra Janawalkar, since childhood and considered him a brother. Due to her health complications and isolated living situation, she eventually moved into Janawalkar’s residence in Lower Parel. During her stay at the house, Rajendra, his wife Mayuri Janawalkar, and other members of their family looked after her.

Police reported that while living together, the accused exploited her trust and persuaded her to part with substantial sums of money on multiple occasions. The pretexts included a fake transaction for the purchase of land in Ratnagiri. In total, the complainant was defrauded of Rs 53.8 lakh. The NM Joshi Marg Police have registered a case against the couple as investigations into the alleged cheating continue.