Landowners allege fraudulent sub-leasing

Mangaluru: A family in Mangaluru has alleged that their commercial property was fraudulently sub-leased to Risepro Logistics Pvt. Ltd., a company operating as a logistics partner for Amazon. According to Dr Vijay Monteiro, the rightful landlord, the property was initially leased to an individual named Nazeer under strict terms prohibiting any sub-leasing or transfer of rights.

However, Monteiro claims that Nazeer sub-leased the property to Risepro Logistics without consent. Risepro then began running full-scale logistics operations, reportedly without trade licences or legal ownership. When the family objected, a series of court cases followed: Risepro filed a case against Nazeer, while Nazeer filed one against the landowners, with both allegedly using the same advocate’s office.

Allegations of collusion and misuse

Monteiro described the matter as “deliberate collusion” aimed at exploiting landowners and delaying justice. Despite the ongoing legal battle, he said that Amazon has continued to operate from the disputed premises.

The family has questioned Amazon’s due diligence in verifying whether its logistics partners operate from legally leased and licensed premises.

Police and civic action

The case has taken a more serious turn with recent law-and-order developments. Authorities registered an NDPS FIR (Crime No. 69/2025 at Mangaluru Rural Police Station) after 2 kg of ganja, cash, and vehicles were seized from a gang allegedly operating from the same premises. A gun misfire incident has also been linked to the group.

On August 25, 2025, the Mangaluru City Corporation issued a formal notice declaring the operations unauthorised and illegal. Despite this, Monteiro claims Amazon India has not responded to multiple emails or taken corrective action.

Amazon’s silence questioned

The landowners have publicly appealed to Amazon India and its leadership, including country manager Samir Kumar, seeking answers on whether the company verifies its partners’ legal rights to operate.

They have also raised concerns over why Amazon has not acted despite being informed of the narcotics case and municipal action tied to the premises.

A fight for livelihood and dignity

Monteiro emphasised that the issue is not only a legal matter but also one of livelihood and dignity for his family. “We are being forced to fight two parties—backed by corporate money and legal loopholes—for what is rightfully ours,” he said.

The controversy has sparked wider debate on corporate accountability in India’s fast-growing e-commerce logistics sector, where partnerships with third-party operators are common but oversight mechanisms remain unclear.