Mumbai: Families bought homes because of RERA chhaap... now it is gone

Rudransh Apartments at Kopri village, Virar East, is one of the 55 residential complexes the scammers built. Pic/Hanif Patel

Nearly 4,000 families trusted the MahaRERA approval to the 55 buildings in Vasai Virar, now found to be illegal, to buy their dream home with their life's savings. Now, the regulator, which doesn't verify documents before giving nod to builders, has begun the process of cancelling their registrations.

Even a police officer wondered how Gotmare managed to get a job at VVCMC again. Sources at Virar police said Gotmare and 33 co-accused have been charge-sheeted for acquiring fake Commencement Certificates (CCs) and Occupancy Certificates (OCs), based on which the accused had constructed 20 buildings. "There were 832 flats and 56 shops in these illegal buildings. We had filed an FIR under various Sections of Indian Penal Code and under the MRTP Act, and arrested and charge-sheeted them in the case. The senior clerk, Gotmare, who lives in Phoolpada at Virar East, was arrested on August 5, 2016, and remained in Virar police custody for seven days before he was sent to judicial remand," said an officer posted to Virar police station.

Shree Gurukrupa Apartments, one of the 55 buildings built illegally in Vasai-Virar. Gotmare has filed a complaint in one of the three FIRs registered against the bogus builders. Pic/Hanif Patel

"We don't know how Gotmare managed to get a job at VVCMC again as the charges against him and accomplices are very serious. But now, he has been working as a senior clerk and that also in the encroachment department," the officer added.The officer further added, "It is ironical that the civic personnel Gotmare, who has been charge sheeted for making bogus OCs and CCs for constructing buildings, has registered an FIR against bogus builders, Rambhau Patil and Arun Patil, at Virar police station, where - in 2016 - he was kept in custody for a similar offence."

‘VVCMC officers involved'

Nalasopara-based activist Terrence Hendriques, who filed PIL at Bombay HC in 2019 against rampant unauthorised constructions in the jurisdiction of VVCMC, told mid-day, "VVCMC officers have been teaching builders how to construct unauthorised buildings by making fake OCs and CCs. I am not surprised at all about Gotmare's involvement, as everyone knows that not a single brick can be cemented without the consent of the civic body. If so many unauthorised constructions have taken place in Vasai Virar and Nalasopara, it clearly indicates the involvement of VVCMC officers."

Hendriques added, "In 2017, I had complained about Hemant Mhasnekar, who is the brother of former additional municipal commissioner of VVCMC, Sanjay Herwade's personal assistant, Umakant Mhasnekar. Hemant was involved in unauthorised constructions in Paligaon, Naigaon West. An FIR was also filed against Hemant on my complaint. So, not only the civic officials, but their close relatives have also been involved in unauthorised constructions in the jurisdiction of VVCMC."

"How can VVCMC officials take action against unauthorised constructions if its officers are themselves involved in a similar offence? Corruption is the main reason behind allowing bogus builders to mushroom in Vasai-Virar-Nalasopara where there is no drainage system, roads are riddled with potholes, there is massive encroachment along the road and no proper transport system. Residents have to pay property and road taxes for zero for nil facilities in the area," Hendriques added.

The housing conmen, led by mastermind Prashant Madhukar Patil - native of Kudal taluka of Sindhudurg district, have been arrested by Virar police for making multiple residential buildings and selling flats to middle-income groups in Virar.

When contacted, Gotmare initially tried to suppress the case registered against him and said, "There is nothing as such…" But when this correspondent further said, "You were in police custody for a week in August 2016," Gotmare replied, "Everything is sorted now…people have been compensated…"

Asked about the status of an FIR against him, Gotmare said, "It is pending in court."

Hendriques said, "If Gotmare was booked and charge sheeted in an FIR in 2016, he must have been immediately suspended by the VVCMC. How and when did he resume service in the municipal corporation? Who helped him get a job again? This is subject to investigation."

‘Hearing is due'

Another officer at Virar police station said, "The charges against Gotmare and other 33 co-accused have been framed in court and the hearing is due. The complaint against Gotmare and others was registered by then Assistant Municipal Commissioner (AMC) Merry Joseph Tuscano. We have made the case watertight against them as there are five witnesses and two panchas in the case."

14
No. of fake papers submitted to RERA for Rudransh Apts

33
No. of co-accused in case involving Gotmare