What began as a familiar face offering prayers at a Vikhroli temple allegedly turned into a calculated property fraud, with a 52-year-old priest losing Rs 84 lakh after being lured into buying a flat in a Bhandup redevelopment project that the seller did not own. Police have booked a developer, his associate and bank officials, alleging that the accused built credibility through a bank-sanctioned home loan and selectively verified documents, before routing large sums through multiple accounts and concealing prior transfer of development rights. 

Role of bank officials under scanner

. Loan sanctioned despite incomplete and selective verification
. Outdated or invalid documents accepted
. Prior transfer of development rights allegedly ignored
. No-objection certificate accepted from an unauthorised individual