Hi-Tech charged with Rs 37 cr fraud

Bhubaneswar: Hi-Tech Paradise Owners’ Association has charged the embattled Hi Tech group with defrauding 311 persons of Rs 37 crores on Sunday.

Shailendra Nath Mohanty, Secretary of the association, said, “We had signed an agreement with Hi-Tech Group for purchase of house in June 2011. As per the deal, the houses should have been delivered to us in 2014. However, the company chief got entangled into scams in 2012 and was sent to jail. We also met officials of the group in 2015 who told us due to deposit of money at the court registry there were no resources for construction of the building. The company officials added if the buyers give money, work will start.”

He added the price of Hi-Tech Paradise was kept at Rs 65 crore. “Each of us has paid Rs 7-8 lakh amounting to Rs 37 crore for the project,” he said.

Though the association sought help from police and Crime Branch, no action has been taken Hi-Tech Group, the association added.

“The company is threatening us and saying no one can harm us,” Mohanty said.

Meanwhile, Tirupati Panigrahi, Hi-Tech Group chief, said, “Since 2012, the complainants have not paid a rupee to us. Whatever amount was paid by them has been invested in the project. We have asked them to meet us on May 25 so that the project will be completed and houses will be handed over to them.”