Bombay High Court Grants Interim Relief to Pune Developer Accused of Cheating
Pune, 29th July 2025: The Bombay High Court has granted interim relief to Pune-based developer Umesh Arumugam Pillay (58), who is facing serious criminal allegations including cheating, criminal breach of trust, extortion, and falsification of accounts. The complaint was filed by businessman Manoj Mittal, a fellow partner in the real estate firm Cedrus Assets Association of Partners.
The case is being heard by Justice R.N. Laddha, who, on July 28, directed that no coercive action be taken against Pillay until the next hearing scheduled for August 14.
Background of the Case
The dispute stems from the development of “Panache,” a luxury residential project in Sopan Baug comprising 24 premium flats, each with three dedicated parking spaces. The flats are priced at an average of ₹5 crore each, with over ₹85 crore invested collectively by the firm’s 29 partners.
Pillay holds a 25% stake in the firm, with his Power of Attorney (POA) being Ankush Mehta, who also holds a similar stake. Manoj Mittal owns an 11% share, while the remaining partners are represented by Nilesh Bajaj, a wealth management professional who serves as their POA.
Mittal had filed a criminal complaint with Commissioner of Police Amitesh Kumar, which was forwarded to Senior PI Satyajeet Admane of Wanawadi Police Station. Following an eight-month inquiry, FIR No. 210/2025 was registered on May 20 under Sections 270, 303, 303(1), 308, 316, and 318(3) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Sessions Court Rejection and Forgery Allegations
Pillay’s anticipatory bail application (ABA No. 3458/2025) was earlier rejected by the Additional Sessions Court on June 25. The court observed that he had submitted forged and unregistered documents, thereby attempting to mislead the judiciary.
The Sessions Court noted in its order:
“The agreements produced by the applicant are undated, unregistered, and forged. Misappropriation of the firm’s funds, even if temporary, is still misappropriation. These facts demonstrate the applicant’s dishonest intent. Filing forged documents to secure relief amounts to interference with the administration of justice. A prima facie case is made out against the applicant, who also has criminal antecedents. Given the nature of the offense, there is a likelihood of tampering with evidence.”
High Court Proceedings and Fresh Allegations
Following the rejection, Pillay filed ABA No. 1784/2025 in the Bombay High Court. In response, Mittal filed an Intervention Application (IA No. 2479/2025), supported by nearly 190 pages of documentation.
Among the new allegations, it was stated that Pillay had induced Dubai-based businessman Sushant Malik and his wife Rukhsar to invest over ₹4 crore in two flats — Nos. 303 and 403. Additionally, he allegedly took ₹30 lakh more for unauthorized structural alterations. The Maliks have been residing in these flats for nearly a year without Occupation Certificates or registered Sale Deeds.
In a strongly worded email dated July 27, Malik threatened legal action against Pillay, Mehta, and Bajaj. He has also filed a cheating complaint at Wanawadi Police Station.
More Complaints Surface
According to affidavits filed by Mittal in both Sessions and High Courts, another complaint involves retired Chief Income Tax Commissioner Farhat Hussain Quereshi, who was allegedly persuaded by Pillay in November 2023 to purchase Flat No. 501. Quereshi and his wife moved in after spending significant amounts on interior work — again without an Occupation Certificate or a registered Sale Deed.
High Court’s Interim Order
On July 28, Justice Laddha permitted Mittal’s intervention and directed Pillay’s legal team, Parinam Law Associates, to furnish a copy of the anticipatory bail application and supporting documents to Mittal’s counsel.
On behalf of Pillay, it was submitted that the ₹2.17 crore received from the Maliks toward Flat No. 403 had been returned to the firm and acknowledged by both POAs, Bajaj and Mehta. It was also claimed that the Maliks’ documents had since been registered.
Until the next hearing, the High Court has restrained authorities from taking coercive action against Pillay in connection with the FIR.
Legal Representation
For the Applicant: Dr. Abhinav Dhananjay Chandrachud, instructed by Parinam Law Associates
For the State: Adv. Arfan Sait, APP
For the Intervener (Manoj Mittal): Advocates Amit Bhowmik and Sagar Batavia
Investigating Officer Present: PSI Londhe, Wanawadi Police Station, Pune City
