Builder facing fraud FIRs caught hiding in Kalyan flat cupboard

Kalyan: A builder facing multiple criminal cases, who had been on the run for nearly two years, was caught hiding inside a cupboard in a flat in Kalyan on Saturday night.

The builder, Salman Dolare, is accused of constructing several illegal buildings in Kalyan region using forged documents and fabricated records. Investigators alleged that reserved plots were encroached upon and developed through fake land records, forged signatures of revenue officials and counterfeit seals.

After being tipped off that Dolare was hiding in a fourth floor flat of Khotal Manzil building in Kalyan West, a joint police team conducted a raid. According to police sources, officers initially failed to find Dolare. He was later found hiding inside a cupboard and immediately taken into custody.

News of the arrest spread rapidly and drew a large crowd outside the building. Police alleged that members of the family that owns the building and its supporters created disturbance and attempted to obstruct the arrest. A case was lodged against four persons for this. Police deployed additional personnel in the area.

The joint operation was conducted by Kalyan crime branch, Mahatma Phule police and Bazarpeth police and was led by senior inspector Ajit Shinde of Kalyan crime branch unit-III.

Police said multiple cases have been registered against Dolare at Mahatma Phule and Bazarpeth police stations. The investigations are currently being conducted by Kalyan crime branch, Thane crime branch and a special investigation team.

Among the projects under scrutiny are Yusuf Heights and Mariyam Tower in Kalyan, both of which have been the subject of investigations by multiple agencies. Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation had earlier lodged complaints regarding the disappearance of files related to these projects from civic records, leading to separate investigations.

Officials suspect that several associates and other individuals may have played a role in the construction racket. Sources indicated that the probe may also examine the involvement of certain civic officials who are said to be helping Dolare. With Dolare now in custody, investigators expect significant progress in uncovering the larger network behind the alleged fraud.