Ghaziabad: Builder Allegedly Demands Rs 1 Crore Ransom from Company Manager at Gunpoint

In a shocking incident in Ghaziabad's Rajnagar Extension, a company manager has filed a report accusing a builder of demanding a ransom of Rs 1 crore at gunpoint. The complaint was lodged by Anuj Mittal, a manager at a construction company, who claims that builder Rajeev Arora and his associates held him hostage and threatened him after failing to return a significant investment.

The Allegations

According to the FIR, Anuj Mittal had invested Rs 4.75 crore in Rajeev Arora's company in 2023, based on promises of monthly profits. However, despite multiple attempts to recover his returns, Arora failed to deliver the agreed profits. When Mittal followed up to reclaim his investment, Arora allegedly avoided the payments and delayed the process for months.

The situation escalated in February 2024, when Mittal visited Rajnagar Extension for business purposes. During the visit, he was allegedly intercepted by Arora and four to five associates. According to Mittal, Arora brandished a pistol and threatened that he would not return the Rs 4.75 crore investment. Furthermore, Arora demanded an additional Rs 1 crore to be paid within 15 days or face dire consequences.

In a terrifying turn of events, Arora also reportedly seized Rs 40,000 from Mittal’s pocket during the encounter. The company manager, fearing for his life, managed to escape the situation and later filed a report with the Ghaziabad police.

Police Investigation Underway

The Ghaziabad police have taken cognizance of the complaint and are conducting an investigation into the incident. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Abhishek Srivastava, from the Kavi Nagar division, stated that while the incident occurred some time ago, they are gathering evidence and witness statements to proceed with legal action. The police are also verifying the financial transactions involved between Mittal and Arora to support the investigation.

This case has sparked concerns about the growing risks involved in large-scale real estate investments and the need for stringent regulations to safeguard investors from potential fraud or exploitation.

Investor Safety and Legal Recourse

This case underscores the importance of conducting due diligence before making large investments, particularly in the real estate sector. Investors are advised to ensure that all legal contracts are in place and to consult financial and legal experts when investing significant sums. The outcome of this case could potentially serve as a precedent for future disputes between investors and developers.