Sale of land brings man jail term

The Central Crime Branch (CCB) has arrested a person who sold a piece of land to a non-resident Indian (NRI) by suppressing details of an ongoing suit before a Debt Recovery Tribunal (DRT).

In 2013, C. Pandiyan, an NRI engineer working in Muscat, bought a parcel of land measuring 2,620 square feet from P. Subramanian of Puzhuthivakkam for ₹79 lakh. He paid the entire amount and got the property registered in his name.

Obtaining a loan from a private bank, Mr. Pandiyan developed the land, constructing a compound wall and building other facilities.

While he was in Muscat, the seller, Subramanian, sent a notice disclosing that the land was bought from Punjab National Bank (PNB) through auction in 2007 for ₹11 lakh.

A suit was pending before the DRT, which had set aside the transaction between him and PNB. Hence, PNB had asked Subramanian to surrender the sale deed obtained from it as an auction purchaser.

Mr. Pandiyan was asked to appeal before DRT but the DRT upheld its previous order.

Aggrieved, Mr. Pandiyan questioned Subramanian but he refused a refund. Mr. Pandiyan lodged a complaint with the police, alleging dishonesty and fraud.