Protesting residents attacked, say builder hired assailants

Residents of AVJ Heights in Greater Noida’s Zeta 1 sector were allegedly beaten up by unknown assailants on Sunday morning while protesting against their builder. The victims alleged that gunshots were also fired in the incident.

Residents of AVJ Heights in Greater Noida’s Zeta 1 sector were allegedly beaten up by unknown assailants on Sunday morning while protesting against their builder. The victims alleged that gunshots were also fired in the incident.

Around 30 residents were allegedly attacked with lathis and hockey sticks by unidentified men on Sunday morning. (Sunil Sharma/HT Photo)

According to Aashish Parashar, the general secretary of the society’s apartment owners’ association (AOA), the builders’ group has not received an occupation certificate (OC) and homebuyers have been residing there as per a mutual understanding between them and the builder.

However, for the past two weeks, residents belonging to the AOA have been staging a dharna outside AVJ builders’ office demanding an OC and refund of maintenance fee.

On Sunday at 11.30 am, 25 to 30 protesting residents were allegedly attacked with lathis and hockey sticks by a group of unidentified men. The residents allege that bullets were also fired.

AOA members said that AVJ group’s general manager Deepak Sharma and his ‘bouncers’ attacked the residents who were protesting peacefully.

“Around 30 bouncers of Sharma attacked us with lathis on Sunday morning. We have received bruises all over our body. The builder has been involved in numerous illegal deals in this area and intimidation is his method,” said Parashar.

An FIR has been registered against Sharma and unknown persons for allegedly attacking the residents.

Denying responsibility for the incident, Sharma said that he and his sales team were themselves attacked by unidentified people and some vested interests have been trying to defame the builder through regular demonstrations.

“I was in my office at that time. I too was attacked by unidentified men and a gunshot was fired at me, but I ducked. I have nothing to do with the attack. Even my sales team was beaten up. These people have been carrying a negative campaign against us in the past as well,” said Sharma, referring to the residents.

On being asked about the alleged firing, inspector Ram Bhajan Singh, Surajpur police station, said, “We have lodged an FIR against the builder and unidentified men for attacking the residents. No arrests have been made so far. We can confirm further once we check the CCTV footage.”