Chandigarh: The economic offences wing (EOW) of Chandigarh Police registered a cheating case against a Sector 21 resident for allegedly duping a chartered accountant of Rs 1.2 crore on the pretext of selling a one kanal house in Sector 21.The case against accused Vikas Bibra has been registered under sections 420 (cheating) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the IPC on the complaint of Harish Gautam, a resident of Sector 44-C. This is the second cheating FIR registered against Bibra by Chandigarh Police.According to the FIR, Bibra offered to sell Gautam a 500-square yard house in Sector 21. He claimed to have acquired rights over the property following prolonged litigation that reached the Supreme Court. He allegedly showed the documents, including a sale agreement executed in his favour in March 2012, to establish his claim over the property.Believing the representations, Gautam agreed in Aug 2023 to buy the house for Rs 8.6 crore. As per the agreement, he paid Rs 1 crore advance and was promised possession of the ground floor. However, possession was never handed over, the complainant alleged.The FIR states that Bibra later cited legal hurdles and offered temporary possession of the second floor instead. A fresh agreement was executed between the two parties on Sept 25, 2023. Gautam alleged that even after the revised agreement, possession was not given and Bibra continued to seek more money while repeatedly assuring him that possession would be handed over soon.He claimed to have paid around Rs 1.2 crore through cheques, but neither received possession of any part of the house nor got his money back.Gautam further alleged that whenever he sought possession, the accused either avoided his calls or conveyed assurances through his wife. Despite repeated follow-ups, neither the ground floor nor the second floor was handed over, he said.The complainant said police initially failed to arrest the accused despite a complaint and that he had to make repeated visits to the police station. He said he later approached UT police IG. Gautam said Bibra had filed an anticipatory bail plea in a Chandigarh court, which was subsequently withdrawn by his counsel during the hearing.Police said Gautam first lodged a complaint on Nov 11, 2024, which was initially closed due to his non-participation in the inquiry. However, after he approached the police again, a fresh investigation was launched. Based on the findings, the EOW registered a case against Bibra for alleged fraud and criminal conspiracy.
