Not for sale, says Bandra church after fake online listing of Rs 900 crore Bandstand property

Mumbai: Christian NGOs and activists have red-flagged another fake sale of church property in Bandra.

A false message is being circulated on social media claiming that Retreat House, a prime plot belonging to Jesuit priests at Kane Road near Bandra Bandstand, is up for sale. Church authorities said that the plot is not for sale.

Similar fake advertisements have been issued in newspapers as well as on social media since 2023, especially for sale of church properties along Bandra Bandstand and Carter Road.

Activist Godfrey Pimenta of Watchdog Foundation wrote a letter to CM Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai police commissioner Deven Bharti, demanding action against the culprits.

Pimenta listed the contents of the ad which mention its location as "exactly behind Sharukh Khan’s bungalow Mannat [sic]" and CTS No. 858. Its total plot area, as per the property card, is cited as "2.16 acres or 8,755 m / 94,230 sq. ft". The ad claims "title clear with possession" and the sale price is listed as Rs 900 crore.

The advertiser, Yeshua Enterprises, instructs the proposed buyer to furnish a letter of intent, and personal proof along with "fund proof" before meeting.

The estate agent, whose contact number is listed on the ad, told TOI, "I am a home-based property broker from Panvel. I received this ad on WhatsApp and decided to spread the word." He sent TOI a screenshot of the alleged "original post", but that individual from Prabhadevi also denied putting the church property for sale.

Church authorities and Jesuit priests are alarmed by the repeat fraud. Fr Nigel Barrett, spokesperson for the archdiocese of Bombay, said, "This is the mischief of an unknown person. We hope the police will take cognisance of it and take appropriate action."

Dr Frazer Mascarenhas SJ, former college principal, said, "To my knowledge this offer for sale is totally fraudulent and mischievous. The Jesuits in Mumbai are in need of every piece of land that they own or is leased to them and there is no plot that is up for sale. In fact, every piece of land is currently in optimal use for the benefit of people. We are unable to understand the motivation behind this fake offer."

Activist Melwyn Fernandes, secretary of Association of Concerned Christians said, "After the fake ad of the Clergy Home in Bandra a few years back, some estate agents are now circulating these genuine property documents with fake owner's name. This should stop. Many church lands are prime property donated by our ancestors. People's sentiments are attached to them."