letters, granting permission to the accused nos.1 to 3 to find suitable lessees for the shops of the complainants. In furtherance of their malafide intentions and nefarious designs, and with ulterior motives, the said accused got the self addressed letters signed from the complainants. After taking the said letters, accused no.4 Sea Shore Pvt. Ltd. emerged, and introduced itself as the tenants of, inter alia, the shops of the complainants, which was to the total ignorance of the complainants. Thus, the complainants questioned the same. However, the accused nos.1 to 3 assured the complainants with regard to accused no.4 company, by stating that the said company was also owned and controlled by the said accused, and accused no.4 had been introduced since accused no.1 was not able to meet its contractual liabilities towards the complainants. This was on account of the fact that criminal cases had been lodged against accused nos.1 and 2 in respect of another Mall being developed by the said accused at Ludhiana. The said accused also assured that till they are able to find other reputed brand owners as suitable tenants, respondent no.4 shall make payment of the assured rent, and that the complainants should accept rent from respondent no.4. The complainants stated that they were not aware of the criminal and malafide intentions, nefarious designs, and ulterior motives of accused no.1 behind their persistent requests and, consequently, on their assurance, they accepted the cheques offered by accused no.4 towards payment of rent.
