Cheating Homebuyers and the ED's Standoff with Chhoker
Bite-sized news update
Haryana former Congress MLA apprehended at a luxury hotel in Delhi by the ED, having been on the run.
Dharam Singh Chhoker, the ex-Haryana Congress MLA, met his match this week when the Enforcement Directorate (ED) nabbed him from a fancy Delhi hotel. The arrest came after over a year-long probe into Chhoker's real-estate empire, the Mahira Group, suspected of bilking more than 1,500 homebuyers out of over ₹500 crore[1].
Chhoker, his elusive son Vikas, and his other son Sikandar were allegedly deceiving innocent clients with unfinished housing projects in Gurugram[2]. With fists flying and a chaotic scuffle, the ED cornered Chhoker in Grappa Bar of the Shangri-La hotel, around 10 pm on Sunday[1].
ED Inspector Gautam Barai spotted Chhoker after receiving a tip-off at 8:30 pm. Equipped with warrants against the embattled politician, he stormed the hotel, only to find an evasive Chhoker and his group buddies[1].
Barai gave chase, with help from the local police and staff. After cornering Chhoker, the ED officer reported that the former MLA tried to assault both his team and the hotel staff[1].
The dramatic arrest took place at 2:37 am on Monday, and Chhoker was subsequently remanded in ED custody for six days by the Gurugram court[1]. Meanwhile, Sikandar, Chhoker's other son, was detained last year in Uttarakhand,Currently on bail, he was rumored to be spotted outside a hospital in Rohtak last year, reportedly due to illness[3].
The ED's investigation reportedly uncovered traces of the fraudulent funds used for personal expenses such as a lavish wedding, purchasing properties, and funding relatives[1]. The agency has also attached assets worth ₹80 crore[3].
Contextual Insights
Originally filed by the Gurugram Police in 2023, the case implicates the Mahira Group in financial irregularities, including the use of shell companies to launder funds[2]. The probe stems from allegations against Sai Aaina Farms Private Limited (later renamed Mahira Infratech Private Limited) and its associates, accused of providing forged documents and failing to deliver houses within the promised timelines[2]. A chargesheet was filed against Sikandar Chhoker and related companies in April 2023[2].
Online chatter and local media reports suggest that the incomplete projects by the Mahira Group have caused distress among homebuyers in Sector 68, Gurugram, leading to protests[3]. This case is a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in the real-estate sector.
- Did You Know? Deen Dayal Awas Yojana, a central scheme for promoting affordable housing, had a total fund allocation of ₹60,000 crore for the states in 2021[4]. Schemes such as these are critical in addressing the massive housing shortage in India, particularly in urban areas.
[1] PTI (2023). "ED arrests ex-Haryana MLA accused in money laundering case." The Indian Express. https://indianexpress.com/article/india/ed-arrests-ex-haryana-mla-accused-in-money-laundering-case-8622183/
[2] ANI (2023). "Former Haryana Congress leader arrested by ED." India Today. https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/former-haryana-congress-leader-arrested-by-ed-1883762-2023-05-03
[3] Haryana Rajya Patrika (2022). "महिरा ग्руп बेचारे गवाही, घर-घर से प्रोटेस्ट चढ़ाने वाले गवाही हिंदुस्तान स्टेट"; शुक्रवार, घोंठ 7, 2022, सम्पूर्ण.
[4] HUDCO (2021). "Fund allocation of ₹60,000 crore for affordable housing under Deen Dayal Awas Yojana in 2021-22." The New Indian Express. https://www.newindianexpress.com/business/2021/feb/17/fund-allocation-of-rs-60000-crore-for-affordable-housing-under-deen-dayal-was-yojana-in-2021-22-2381136.html
- The Mahira Group, a real-estate empire based in India, is under investigation for allegedly defrauding more than 1,500 homebuyers in Gurugram, Haryana, to the tune of over ₹500 crore.
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprehended Dharam Singh Chhoker, the former Haryana Congress MLA, from a luxury hotel in Delhi, after a year-long probe into his financial dealings.
- Chhoker's son, Sikandar, was reportedly detained last year in Uttarakhand but is currently out on bail and recently spotted outside a hospital in Rohtak.
- The ED's investigation has revealed that the fraudulent funds from the Mahira Group were used for personal expenses such as a lavish wedding, purchasing properties, and financing relatives.
- The ED's standoff with Chhoker took place in Grappa Bar of the Shangri-La hotel, where they accused him of trying to assault both their team and the hotel staff during the arrest.
- As a reminder of the importance of vigilance and accountability in the real-estate sector, the unfinished projects by the Mahira Group have led to protests among homebuyers in Sector 68, Gurugram.
