Flat builders sentenced to imprisonment and fine for cheating Kireedam Unni

KOCHI: Two persons were sentenced to two years imprisonment and a fine of Rs 20 lakh each in the case of cheating Rs 7 lakh from film producer Kireedam Unni by promising to build a flat. The sentence was passed by Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court after a 25-year legal battle. The Ernakulam Judicial First Class Magistrate Court (VIII) convicted KJ Thomas of Kalathiparampil Veedu at Ravipuram and Joseph Valakkuzhi alias Ousepachan of Valakkuzhi Veedy on Kaloor Shenoys Road, owners of Jose Brothers and Joseph Valakuzhi Constructions.

If the convicts do not pay the fine, they will be imprisoned for another six months. If the fine is paid, it shall be paid as compensation to Unni. On May 30, 1996, the defendants entered into an agreement with Kireedam Unni to provide a three-bedroom flat for 15.67 lakh rupees in a flat complex called Geeth Mini Castle, which is being built in Elamkulam Village. Then seven lakh rupees were paid in various installments. The agreement was that the construction of the flat would be completed on December 31,1997 and the flat would be handed over to Unni within 15 days after that. But the work of the flat got stopped. The defendants informed that the work stopped when the High Court stayed the work and will resume the work as soon as the stay is lifted. But they sold the flat complex to Betron Builders without informing the petitioner. When the complainant came to know about this, he contacted Betron Builders but they demanded Rs 44 lakh for the flat. According to the court verdict, the complainant had to fight a 25-year legal battle in the complaint. The defendants were convicted of criminal breach of trust.