SS Constructions, Gajularamaram dupes flat owners by charging Rs 3.5L extra for amenities; collects Rs 3.2 Cr

Hyderabad: Many builders in Hyderabad have failed to create facilities despite charging extra money from consumers,

Builders collected lakhs of rupees for amenities like a children's park, but did not deliver. In some cases, the park spaces were converted into parking lots. Complaints to Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) have gone unheard.

Builder collected Rs 3.5 lakh from each flat owner

One such case was reported from Shapur Elite County, TSIIC colony in Gajularamaram, Hyderabad. Residents were allegedly duped by SS Constructions in Gajularamaram, which charged Rs 3.5 lakh from each flat owner to provide amenities such as gym, function hall and play area for the children. However, the end product was completely different from what was promised.

Speaking to the NewsMeter, one of the flat owners Ashok Kumar Das said, “I purchased a flat in Shapur Elite County in Gajularamaram in November 2022. Then, the builder charged Rs 3.5 lakh from me additionally to provide amenities such as Gym, function hall and play area for the children. Out of the 100 flats, as many as 89 flat owners like me paid Rs 3.5 lakh each for the amenities totalling Rs 3.2 crore in cash.”

Ashok Kumar alleged that the builder has never paid any tax on this amount. To make matters worse, there was no designated space allocated for these so-called amenities. Instead, the builder illegally constructed them within the car parking area—an action that violates building regulations. As promised, the builder was supposed to complete the development of amenities by December 2022, he said.

Builder took two years to develop amenities

However, the builder obtained the No Objection Certificate (NOC) from GHMC at the end of November 2024 and subsequently constructed the amenities in the parking area by the end of December 2024. The builder took almost two years to develop the promised amenities and that too they were developed for a namesake which doesn't even cost Rs 20 lakh in the parking area violating the norms.

Apart from that, the builder also constructed a penthouse on the fifth floor of the apartment which is totally a violation. He also alleged that the builder was utilising the penthouse to host booze parties for his friends.

“To date, I have filed two official complaints with the GHMC, made over 15 calls to the ACP of the Town Planning Wing, and even shared the irregularities on social media platforms highlighting this issue. Despite these efforts, no action has been taken—likely due to the builder's strong political connections,” Ashok Kumar said.

“Another alarming issue is the collection of cash under the guise of 'work orders.” Each flat owner was coerced into paying Rs 20–25 lakhs in cash, bypassing tax obligations. I paid Rs 28 lakhs, even after alerting the Enforcement Directorate and other officials beforehand. Unfortunately, no action was taken, and I was forced to comply under pressure,” he said.

Elaborating further, Ashok Kumar said that in total, the builder is estimated to have collected Rs 20–25 crores in unaccounted cash from all flat owners, evading taxes entirely. This is not just a case of financial fraud, but a massive scam involving systemic corruption and political protection at various levels. It raises serious questions about the integrity of enforcement agencies and the rule of law, he added.

Flat owners filed complaint with TGRERA

The flat owner said that In November 2024, a complaint was filed with the Telangana Real Estate Regulatory Authority (TGRERA) and the builder appeared before the RERA and at present, the case is in hearing. He also alleged that the builder had sold around 13 two-wheeler parking slots at a meager price of Rs 70,000 to Siddique, one of the flat owners of Shapur Elite County.

Almost four years ago, when the builder was constructing the apartment, the GHMC and TSIIC officials tried to demolish it, citing some irregularities. Siddique, along with another person, intervened in the matter and prevented the demolition by the respective departments.

Taking advantage of the situation, Siddique began blackmailing the builder and even threatened him on multiple occasions to insist that the GHMC carry out a demolition drive in the guise of claiming himself as a close associate of the local MLA whenever the flat owners questioned the builder about the unavailability of parking slots in the apartment.

Asked about his demands, Ashok Kumar said that the builder had collected a total of approximately Rs 3.2 crores in cash from flat owners. “My major demand is that the builder should refund my Rs 3.5 lakh given for the amenities, as he failed to keep up his promise of developing the said amenities with quality. Apart from that, the builder should also give an assurance that the demolitions will not be taken by the GHMC in the future, citing irregularities in the apartment as it will depreciate the value of the flat,” he said.

Ashok Kumar also said that another complaint was lodged with the RERA about poor construction near the entrance point of the apartment due to which the entire premises is experiencing vibrations after heavy vehicles passing nearby the apartment. Taking a serious note of the matter, the RERA also promised to conduct a detailed inquiry by a team after inspecting the situation at ground level, he added.