Beware of Crooks

That was way back in 1996 when I was approached by a seller to buy a plot measuring 1200 square feet at Bangalore, India. The owner of the plot, a General Power of Attorney Holder, informed me that he had full authority from the original owner to transfer the deed in my name so that either I can register the plot in my name or I can sell the plot to anybody. After verifying all details known best to me and my relatives as well as friends I purchased the plot for which I got a registered General Power of Attorney (GPA) empowering me to dispose of the plot in any fashion as I deemed fit on behalf of the owner of the land. The owner of the plot personally came and signed the document in the presence of the Registrar of lands, Government of Karnataka and I got the GPA made irrevocable so that the plot owner does not play any mischief later. The owner promised to transfer the relevant documents in the name of the buyer whenever I needed and provided me in writing all these and his permanent address.

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On the basis of this, in 2008, I got the plot registered in the name of my wife spending a sizeable amount as registration charge in the office of the Registrar of Lands, Government of Karnataka. This was done after I got a non encumbrance certificate for 20 years from the concerned government office at Bangalore. When I approached the surveyor of the Corporation of Bangalore under whom the area fell, to mark the boundaries so that I could start the construction work. I was asked to get the plan of the plot, for which I had to approach the original owner as agreed to by him in the GPA. To my utter dismay he was not there. I was told that not only this person but also the one who got transferred the GPA through proper channel in my name colluded with each other and cheated many in this fashion. The plot could not be traced though it was shown to me with all corner stones in 1996. It was learnt that he had sold it to many persons the same land and absconded. As it was not possible for me to spend on litigation at my age or to run after the authorities concerned, I narrated the issue through a petition to the Honourable Chief Justice of India which is yet to see light. I still have faith and count my days!