Purushottam Chavan, the 53-year-old husband of senior IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar, has been arrested by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Mumbai Police in connection with a multi-crore real estate fraud. Chavan, along with nine accomplices, allegedly defrauded 19 individuals of ₹24.78 crore by promising them government-allotted flats at discounted rates in prime locations such as Prabhadevi, Parel, Thane, and Pune.
The scam came to light during an investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into a ₹263 crore income tax refund fraud. During searches at Chavan’s residence, the ED discovered forged property sale documents, including fake Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) papers and land deals valued at over ₹100 crore. These documents were allegedly used to dupe potential property buyers.
Chavan was already in judicial custody for his involvement in the income tax refund fraud case when the EOW took him into custody for the real estate scam. The EOW has secured his custody until May 26 for further questioning.
In a related development, Chavan’s wife, IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar, has filed for divorce, citing mental cruelty, financial harassment, and her husband’s undisclosed financial dealings. She has been questioned by the EOW regarding financial transactions with her husband but has not been named as an accused in the case.
The EOW is continuing its investigation and may arrest more individuals connected to the scam. Authorities are also examining the role of government officials in facilitating the fraudulent transactions.
This case highlights the need for vigilance and due diligence when dealing with property transactions, especially those involving government schemes. Prospective buyers are advised to verify property documents through official government channels to avoid falling victim to similar scams.
