CBI registers cases over Santa Cruz and Wadala housing projects

The CBI has registered cases against Skylink Hospitality LLP and Ozone Homes Private Limited over allegations involving residential projects launched in Santa Cruz and Wadala in 2017-18.

The cases follow an August 6 Supreme Court order directing the agency to investigate allegations set out in a special leave petition and documents cited by a court-appointed amicus curiae. Those materials alleged that homebuyers were induced to make payments to builders whose projects were not completed.

In the Skylink case, 10 homebuyer petitions alleged that the firm and officials of a private home finance company offered a “No pre-EMI till delivery” scheme for its Santa Cruz project. The FIR alleges that the project was not completed and that buyers were not refunded.

A second FIR, based on six petitions, makes similar allegations concerning an Ozone Homes project in Wadala. The CBI has also named unknown officials of the finance firm in both cases.

The agency registered the Mumbai cases on Tuesday alongside three cases involving Bengaluru builders. Searches at 12 locations in Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru on Thursday led to the seizure of documents, digital devices and other material. The CBI is examining them in connection with allegations of fund diversion and financial irregularities.