ED raids unearth multiple property documents linked to former Vasai-Virar civic chief
Enforcement Directorate
(ED) seized multiple property-related documents linked to the former civic chief of Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC), Anil Pawar, during searches conducted at 12 premises linked to him on Tuesday and Wednesday.
ED sources said Pawar had "created a number of entities in the name of his family members, relatives and benamidars to launder the bribe amount collected."
The source said, "The formation of shell entities coincides with his posting as VVCMC commissioner (2022). These entities are primarily engaged in businesses where large amounts of cash are absorbed, such as construction and redevelopment of residential towers, construction of warehouses and others."
You Can Also Check:
Mumbai AQI
|
Weather in Mumbai
|
Bank Holidays in Mumbai
|
Public Holidays in Mumbai
Investigations by the ED showed an organised cartel of VVCMC officers, including the commissioner, deputy director of town planning, junior engineers, architects, CAs, and liaisoners, all operating in collusion. This cartel is responsible for large-scale illegal construction within VVCMC's jurisdiction. Commissioner VVCMC Anil Pawar, an IAS officer, is accused of orchestrating and sustaining this cartel.
The ED investigation showed that after Pawar assumed the role of commissioner of VVCMC, the commission fee was set at Rs 20-25 per sq ft for the commissioner and Rs 10 per sq ft for his junior, Y S Reddy (Deputy Director Town Planning), based on the total project area from the builders. During searches at twelve premises associated with Pawar, the ED seized Rs 1.33 crore in unaccounted cash, along with numerous incriminating documents and devices.
These included property documents in the names of relatives and benamidars, as well as cash and cheque deposit slips, among others.
The ED sources said digital devices seized during the operations revealed Pawar's close involvement in creating a nexus of VVCMC officials and architects, CAs, and liaisoners.
The money laundering case pertains to the illegal construction of 41 residential and commercial buildings on govt and private land under VVCMC's jurisdiction since 2009.
This includes a 60-acre tract designated for sewage treatment and dumping facilities. Although Pawar was not the VVCMC chief at the time of construction, he failed to take action against the developments after assuming office, despite receiving complaints.
The 41 buildings were recently demolished following a Bombay high court order. Flat buyers lost their money as well as their homes.
In May, the ED raided 13 locations in Nalasopara, Vasai, Virar, and Hyderabad, seizing Rs 8.6 crore in unaccounted cash and Rs 23.2 crore worth of jewellery and bullion from the Hyderabad residence of Y S Reddy, deputy director of town planning, VVCMC.
A few locals in Vasai burst crackers and distributed sweets late on Tuesday after the news of the ED raid spread across the city. They alleged that since Pawar was the administrator, he took unilateral decisions and corruption peaked during his tenure. "We also had written to the Maharashtra chief minister to conduct an investigation about his wealth and properties," said Sushant Patil of the Bhumiputra Sangathan, Vasai.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Shiv Sena (UBT) workers protest at KMC against corruption in development works in Kolhapur city
Kolhapur: Shiv Sena (UBT) workers held a Kolhapur Municipal Corporation gherao protest at noon on Monday, demanding explanations regarding the alleged massive corruption in development works executed by the civic body. The party workers encircled the main Kolhapur Municipal Corporation (KMC) building with two-wheelers and autorickshaws, blocking the entry and exit points. They protested against the drainage pipeline scam and substandard work in road projects undertaken with Rs 100 crore funds. Additionally, concerns were raised over corruption in the Gandhi Maidan cross drain and the installation of heritage-style musical street lamps around the Mahalaxmi temple. A written statement outlining various demands was submitted to KMC additional commissioner Ravikant Adsul. During the protest, Sena (UBT) district president Ravikiran Ingawale criticised the overall administration of the municipal corporation. Ravikiran Ingawale said, "A corruption competition has started in the municipal corporation. A situation has arisen where whoever commits the most corruption gets the most reward. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo The officials in the KMC have become corrupt, and they do not want local body elections. The scam of Rs 85 lakh was done in collusion by the people's representatives and officials of Kolhapur. The roads worth Rs 100 crore have been ruined. The accused in corruption cases are made complainants." Ingawale called for the suspension of corrupt officials involved in the drainage scam at Kasba Bawda. "If no action is taken, then it is wrong. The scam of Rs 85 lakh is not a joke. The siege imposed on the municipal corporation on Monday was to wake up the people of Kolhapur," he added. Meanwhile, though administrator K Manjulekshmi appointed an inquiry committee to investigate the entire drainage scam case and submitted a report, no significant action has been taken by the municipal administrator yet. Addressing the Shiv Sena (UBT) party workers, KMC additional commissioner Ravikant Adsul said, "The thorough investigation regarding the Rs 85 lakh fake bill corruption in the drainage pipeline is ongoing. The KMC administrator has already assured of taking strict and legal action against the culprits."
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
Amreli diamond auction generates Rs 3 crore in one day, draws over 300 buyers
The Amreli Diamond Association (ADA) in Gujarat organised its first-ever auction of cut and polished natural diamonds, achieving sales of over 4,700 carats of diamonds worth Rs 3 crore in a single day. The auction drew over 300 buyers from Gujarat and Mumbai, with traders and manufacturers selling diamonds on a cash basis. The ADA, according to the people familiar with the development, had been working on the auction for the last two months, contacting diamond traders and merchants of Gujarat and Mumbai, and inviting them to come to Amreli. The auction was held in the Bombay Market of Amreli town in Saurashtra, on Saturday. The association had invited diamond traders from Surat, Bhavnagar, Jasdan, Botad, Junagadh, Ahmedabad and Mumbai. In the day-long auction, which started at 10 am and finished at 8pm, the buyers were given ample time to check the diamonds, said sources. On Monday, the diamond traders and manufacturers of Amreli met ADA President Lalit Thummar and shared the details of the total business done on Saturday. During the meeting, a decision was taken to organise the auction every Saturday. ADA President Lalit Thummar said, 'Over 300 buyers from different parts of Gujarat and Mumbai took part in the auction on Saturday and purchased diamonds worth Rs 3 crore. A good response was recorded. Since diamonds are cheaper in Amreli, traders from other areas visit the district to purchase diamonds. Also, the trade is conducted in cash.' 'In other districts, the diamonds are sold, and payment is done within 90 to 120 days. Here, we have adopted strict rules for cash sales. A polished diamond from the manufacturer reaches the broker, followed by the trader, who sells the diamond to the jeweller or diamond traders of other districts. At every step, the middleman keeps one to two per cent as his commission. If a diamond is sold at Rs 20,000 per carat, the traders will get Rs 16,000 to Rs 15,000,' added Thummar. 'Earlier, the traders had to compromise on prices while doing business,' he said. He further added, 'We are in contact with the diamond merchants of different markets across the state. Next week we are going to organise the auction on Friday as there is a festival on Saturday. We are also planning to construct a building for holding the auctions. The building will also have the facility of accommodation and lockers for the visitors.' According to the ADA, there are over 940 small and medium-level diamond factories in Amreli district, where over 50,000 artisans work as diamond polishers.
Indian Express
an hour ago
- Indian Express
NSUI workers protest outside private university in Ahmedabad, allege harassment of student over fees
THE National Students' Union of India (NSUI) on Monday protested outside TransStadia University, a private university in Ahmedabad's Maninagar area, alleging harassment of a student by the university authorities over pending fee and late fee penalty. Sanjay Solanki, secretary of NSUI, alleged that a student, despite having the 'freeship card', was being asked to pay the fee. Solanki demanded that a police complaint be registered in the matter. 'Despite bearing the freeship card, he was repeatedly asked by the university authorities to pay the fee. Under psychological pressure, he tried to commit suicide and was rushed to the hospital. His mother's health also deteriorated on Monday. We demand action against officials who are responsible for his condition. We also want his medical expenses to be reimbursed. The student is not able to speak due to his medical condition,' Solanki said. When stopped by the police and university authorities, the protesting workers forcibly tried to enter the premises. Spokesperson of the TransStadia University, in an official statement, said, 'In this case, the fee follow-up communication was shared via a broadcast group only. Any claim to the contrary is entirely unfounded and appears to be a deliberate attempt to misrepresent and malign the university. We are fully cooperating with authorities and urge everyone to refrain from spreading misinformation. We trust that the due process will prevail. As always, TransStadia University remains committed to transparency, integrity, and the holistic development of our students.' Pertaining to the demand to pay the medical expenses, officials told this paper that the student was assured of proper treatment at the civil hospital, which he declined. Freeship card is the central government's scheme of scholarship to students from reserved categories for higher education in private universities. According to the scheme, students with a family income of Rs 2.5 lakh from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes who take admission in private colleges or universities can avail freeship cards from the social welfare and empowerment department. The freeship card shall make the student eligible to study in the institution without prepayment of the fees, and on the condition that as and when the amount is released to the student's account, the institution would be intimated to collect it from the student.
