Three years ago, Sujata Jawale booked a flat in a Kanjurmarg project, only to be hit by financial difficulties within months following the death of her husband. She went to the builder asking him to cancel the deal and refund the Rs 16 lakh that she had paid. The developer of the project - Savana - promised Jawale that the money would be in her account by June 2017.

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“It’s June 2018 and I’m yet to receive my money,” Jawale told DNA on Tuesday.

Jawale was part of a group of over 600 homebuyers who were at Azad Maidan to protest against the builder - JVPD Properties Pvt Ltd, alias Jaycee Homes. The company is accused of duping nearly 2,500 homebuyers and investors in four projects across the city.

The victims demanded that either they be given their money, or homes. They also urged the government to fast-track the probe against the builder by the Economic Offence Wing of Mumbai police.

Jawale, who stays in Bhandup’s Maharashtra Nagar, said she needs the money as that’s all she has now. For cancer survivor Anita Gupta, who claims to have paid Rs 18 lakh for a flat, it has been nothing less than torture. “The builder had promised us possession by 2018-19, but even the foundation hasn’t be laid so far. We have suffered a lot because of my health and we do not wish to suffer more.”

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Parag Manere, deputy commissioner of police of EOW said they have engaged a forensic auditor to track the money trail. “A special public prosecutor is being appointed for these cases, while one of the accused Diipesh Bhagtani is already behind bars.”

Two more accused are out of India and EOW is getting details on them, said Manere. “Many home buyers have filed a civil suit in the case. The investigation is on the right track and moving fast.”

With too many uncertainties stacked against them, experts said the protesters can approach many forums but it is difficult to predict a time frame as to when their misery will end.

By Varun Singh, DNA India