Thane: Man posing as land surveyor arrested for demanding money from realtor

THANE: A man, who allegedly posed as a land surveyor and demanded money from a real estate agent to survey a newly purchased commercial land in Karjat, was arrested by the Thane unit of the anti-corruption bureau (ACB) on Thursday.
According to the police, the complainant, a real estate agent based in Mumbai had purchased a 27,000 sqm plot in Karjat on behalf of his client who wanted to set up a production unit.
Accordingly, the agent got in touch with the accused through an office assistant working with one of the government agencies in the area.
The accused identified as Vijay Thackeray posed as a government land surveyor and demanded Rs 3 lakhs from the agent.
The accused asked for the sum to be paid in two instalments of Rs 1.5 lakh each to be handed over ahead of the chosen date of the survey and after the same is completed.
Meanwhile, the complainant approached the ACB that laid a trap after ascertaining the facts of the complaint, officials said.
"The accused had called the complainant to the office of the land surveyor at Karjat on Wednesday where we laid a trap. The accused was arrested while accepting Rs 1 lakh from the complainant. A case has been registered with the Karjat police and he has been sent to police custody till December 19. We are also looking for the office assistant who mediated in the deal," said Suresh Chopade, police inspector, ACB, Thane unit.