Dhavalgiri Building at Nana Chowk

MUMBAI: The winner of the costliest flat in Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority's (Mhada) history of lottery sales has returned the flat worth Rs 5.8 crore to the housing board. Vinod Shirke , who is a Shiv Sena shakha pramukh from Agripada, said he found the Vaastu (layout) faulty.

However, the managing committee told TOI that two brothers who owned the house are fighting a legal battle. "One of them is saying the apartment was sold to Mhada without his knowledge," a committee member said.

Shirke, a smalltime entrepreneur, had struck gold when he won two 2 BHK apartments in Dhavalgiri Building, Nana Chowk, at the December 2018 lottery. These were among the costliest flats ever sold by the agency. One house on the fifth floor was priced Rs 5.8 crore, the other on the third floor Rs 4.99 crore. Yet another flat in Dhavalgiri was sold for Rs 5.1 crore to another buyer in the lottery.

"I got both my new houses checked my childhood friend Tejas Talaskar who is an astrologer. He advised me to surrender both flats because he found the Vaastu flawed. But I am keeping the smaller one because the basic elements of sun, moon, doors and windows are satisfactory. The house should be habitable with a few modifications," Shirke said.

Interestingly, the Rs 4.99 crore house that Shirke holds is also under litigation as the society has questioned Mhada's ownership over all three flats. It has accused the board of not having paid maintenance dues amounting to Rs 75 lakh.

"Mhada did furnish some documents in court but the crucial registration papers were missing. Moreover they have yet to pay us the outstanding maintenance dues since October 2013 when they claim to have acquired the flats. This sum amounts to Rs 75-80 lakh. Until they fulfil both conditions, we will not transfer the flats to the new 'buyer'," said a member of the managing committee.

Shirke said his fears over litigation had been "assuaged" by senior Mhada officials Madhu Chavan and Vinod Ghosalkar. "They have said it is not for me to worry. I believe the board is a trusted agency and will handle the matter," Shirke said.

The housing board has said it will provide proof of ownership and pay the society dues in court. As for the flat relinquished by Shirke, it will be offered to the next wait listed candidate in the lottery.

