[Resolved]  Royal Indian Raj — Fraud & Deception - news article 2, Vijay Amritraj Attacks

Publication:Times Of India Bangalore; Date:Aug 3, 2007; Section:Times Business; Page Number:17

Vijay Amritraj attacks Royal Indian Corpn
Mini Joseph Tejaswi & Sujit John | TNN


Bangalore: Remember Royal Indian Raj International Corporation (RIRIC) -- the NRIpromoted company that wanted to set up a $3-billion 'Smart City' on 3, 000 acres of land on the outskirts of Bangalore three years ago?

As with many other projects in

Karnataka that required vast tracts of land, this one too never took off, and the promoters finally whittled down the project to a mere 17-acre residential project.

But now, there's a cloud over that too. Tennis great Vijay Amritraj, who was roped in by the Vancouver-based company in June last year to be a brand ambassador for the project amongst potential NRI buyers, has terminated the contract because of RIRIC's "inability to fulfil contractual obligations and commitments''.

Amritraj had made several personal appearances on behalf of RIRIC across Phoenix and San Jose, did media interviews and was featured in brochures, internet marketing and TV advertising.

Amritraj told TOI, "I want to go on record saying I have no connection with this group henceforth. From January, I have communicated my decision several times, but they still continue to feature me on their website. I find it tough to face questions on the progress of the project from committed customers whom I meet at airports and restaurants. This has put me in a bad light."

When contacted, RIRIC president Collins Benjamin said the Royal Garden Villas & Resorts project, has been delayed as it's yet to receive clearance from Bangalore International Airport Planning Authority (BIAPA).

"We expect to start the project in March 2008, '' Benjamin said, but declined to speak about the Amritraj issue.

While some accuse the company of lacking the experience to handle big real estate projects, others who know Benjamin and his son Manoj (the CEO of RIRIC) say the only experience they lack is in handling Karnataka's complex political and bureaucratic processes. "They have the vision to do something for India. But as with Ashok Kheny and his BMIC project, the Benjamins too are being harassed. The fact is, they have not run away with the money they have collected from customers. Even after so many years, they are still persisting, " says one close observer of the project.

But the question remains: why are they harassing Amritraj? And why aren't they being transparent with their customers?