Association members told reporters on Monday they would intensify their agitation by closing textile markets and holding a dharna in front of the police commissioner's office if the builder was not arrested and inspector of Salabatpura Police Station not transferred.

According to the members, the builder was not handing over property documents to them, 13 years after possession of shops in phase-I was given to owners. They claimed that the association was registered in 1990 and was maintaining A/C plant, air handling unit, toilets, parking place and electrical fitting among other things, since 1988, though it was the responsibility of the builders. Builders Jagdish Tekrawala and Shankar Nebhumal, fell apart following a dispute in 1990.

The trouble for association members began when Surat Municipal Corporation sealed several illegal shops in the basement in January this year. When they called on the municipal commissioner, shopowners learnt that the building plan was not passed by the corporation due to illegal construction in the basement as well as on the sixth floor. They alleged that the builder was threatening them with raids by police, Excise and Income Tax officials.

The builder allegedly started terrorising them when the association served him a notice asking him why he had given an application to the Income Tax department -- which sealed eight shops in possession of its members -- and asked him to apologise. From the day the notice was served, the builder started creating problems for them, members said, adding that he even beat up the security staff. However, the police did not investigate into the complaint.

On the other hand, the police were quick to act on the builder's complaint for trivial issues. On October 8, the Salabatpura Police Inspector along with the builder's brothers came to the market and allegedly abused association staff. The association handed over a memorandum to the police commissioner demanding action against the builder.

However, there was no action by the police, they alleged, adding that the builder's claim that he was ready to hand over property documents was false as there was a court stay. The association said the call for market bandh would be given only after Diwali if the police failed to take against the builder.