Mumbai: Residents, builder in clash over wall demolition in Ghatkopar

The residents of a housing society in Ghatkopar (W) are in a head-on clash with a builder after he allegedly demolished a parking shed, a children's garden and compound wall three days ago. Three police personnel have now been deployed at the site of the broken wall in order to ensure there is no untoward incident.

FIR lodged
Residents of Akasdeep CHS Ltd (bldg no 8A and 8B) in Damodar Park have alleged that the builder, Surender Rawal, of M/s Rockline Developers was trying to grab a piece of land that residents have been maintaining for over three decades. The residents have lodged an FIR against Rawal and two of his aides. On Saturday, the residents hired a contractor to rebuild the demolished compound wall.

The wall is now being rebuilt

Chandrakant Shah, 70, the chairman of the society and one of the oldest residents (since it was built in 1985) claimed that on Wednesday morning, the security guard told him about a JCB machine demolishing the compound wall, which separates a piece of land already cleared for an SRA project. Shah said when they confronted the builder, he said he had right over the land, but could not show any documents or even permission from the BMC to prove it. "We immediately called the police control room, but even after the cops arrived, the developer continued with the demolition. In the evening, we lodged an FIR against the builder," Shah said. He said the society had all the relevant papers and maps to prove ownership of the plot.

Shah claims that on December 31, the society security guard was threatened by a stranger who had entered the premises and told him they would break the compound wall at midnight. "We approached the police, but no case was registered," Shah said. Another resident, who did not wish to be named, said, "The society had to incur a loss of R10 lakh because of this builder, who is trying to bully us. We will continue to fight to prove our claim."

'Matter being probed'
Deputy Commissioner of Police (Zone 7) Akilesh Singh said, "We have registered an FIR and are investigating the case from all angles." When asked to reveal the prima facie probe findings, he said, "The investigation is on." Shekar Tawade, assistant commissioner of police (Vikhroli Division), said, "We had to deploy police personnel, as there was tension between residents and the builder. Both parties are claiming that the plot belongs to them. We have asked them to produce the relevant papers, and whoever submits the documents, we will continue our further probe accordingly. It is a civil dispute and we have a limited role." Attempts made to contact Rawal or his company M/s Rockline Developer did not yield any result.

Catch up on all the latest Mumbai, National and International news here

Download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get updates on all the latest and trending stories on the go