allegations, defamation writ as competition between two real estate agents fires up
Fierce listing competition between rival real estate agents in Melbourne’s west has resulted in an assault charge, an intervention order application and a defamation settlement.
Agent Vikram Pal was accused of assaulting competitor Suneet Kumar at an appraisal of a Laverton residential property in March last year.
Police charged Mr Pal with assaulting and threatening to kill Mr Kumar, who had looked through a 10 bedroom unit block on behalf of the owner.
The 648-square metre property is worth about $700,000.
The owner gave a witness statement as part of the criminal case, telling the investigating sergeant that he saw Mr Pal punch Mr Kumar in the face, and push him to the ground.
According to the police brief of evidence, Mr Kumar, at the end of the property appraisal, was out the front of the Bladin Street address when he saw Mr Pal park his vehicle in front of his.
It was alleged Mr Pal got out and went up to Mr Kumar, accusing him of approaching his clients.
The brief then states: “The accused then grabbed the victim by the collar, raised a clenched fist over his shoulder and said ‘I will kill you, you don’t know how powerful I am’. The victim then told the accused to step back and leave him alone.”
Mr Kumar reported the incident at the Altona North police station that evening.
Mr Pal denied all wrongdoing in an interview, saying he did not grab Mr Kumar’s shirt and tie, nor did he call him “a motherf—er”.and death