Vasai-Virar housing scam: Inquiry committee yet to begin probe

The Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai-Virar (MBVV) police, probing the multi-thousand crores of rupees house of cards scam, are set to file around a 10,000 pages charge sheet by October 23; but the inquiry committee - constituted by the civic chief on August 14 - is yet to begin its probe into the scandal, in which their own officials are involved in neck-deep graft.

A social activist has alleged that unauthorised constructions are still underway in Vasai Virar and Nalasopara, "but the civic officials have turned a blind eye to the bogus buildings".

The buyers of flats in such buildings had used up their savings for them. Pics/Hanif Patel

Over a dozen FIRs were filed against the bogus builders, who had prepared false and fake documents of non-agricultural land, Commencement Certificate (CC), permission for construction, building map, bogus rubber stamps of the competent authorities, their letter heads, etc. Till date MBVV police have filed 15 FIRs at Virar, Nalasopara, Tulinj, Pelhar, Valiv and Manikpur police stations against nearly eight dozen accused, said a senior police officer.

The probing team has asked the VVCMC officials if they had received any complaint against the unauthorised constructions in the housing scam. However, the civic officials are tight-lipped, said the source.

Police probe on

The police investigation is on in full swing and they have been calling the concerned officials from Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), the registrar office and banking officials. "The civic officials are a little adamant in sharing details with us. They have been delaying our work so that we don't file the charge sheet on time. But we have gathered enough evidence in the housing scandal and are set to file a nearly 10,000 pages charge sheet in the court by October 23. Later on, multiple supplementary charge sheets will be filed as and when required in the legal process," said a senior police officer.

One of the buildings constructed in the scam

A source from Virar police told mid-day that the civic officials have done nothing till date to help us in their investigation.

"All the FIRs were filed by the civic officials only because we gave them the contents and incriminating documents against the bogus builders. After much hue and cry, the municipal commissioner constituted an enquiry committee on August 14 to probe the role of their own officials who were involved in the rampant unauthorised constructions," said the source.

"But why has the enquiry committee not done anything till date? This committee was supposed to submit its report within stipulated time of 15 days. Why is there a delay?" asked a police officer.

(left to right) Prashant Patil, Dilip Adakhale, Dilip Benwanshi, Rajesh Naik, the accused in the scam

Rattled by the series of mid-day reports on the multi-crore housing scam, the VVCMC Commissioner, Anilkumar Pawar, constituted a 10-member inquiry committee to probe it.

Additional Municipal Commissioner Ramesh Manale was given the charge to lead the inquiry committee of senior civic officials including Ajinkya Bagade, YS Reddy, Kishore Gavas, Tanaji Narle, Nanasaheb Kamthe, Sameer Bhumkar, Shashikant Patil, Ajay Chaukekar and Mohan Sankhe.

Committee member speak

Deputy Municipal Commissioner Kishore Gavas said, "Till now, we were busy in filing the FIRs. Now, we will conduct the investigation and submit the report of the inquiry committee in next 20 days."

An officer at Valiv police station said, "These unauthorised buildings were not constructed overnight. Were the municipal corporation officials sleeping when these buildings were constructed? Even today, they are doing nothing to help us in the investigation."

The four conmen including Prashant Patil, Dilip Adakhale, Dilip Benvanshi and Rajesh Naik have been made co-accused in all the FIRs on the complaint of VVCMC officials. "But the big players have not been named in the FIRs. The civic officials have not learnt a lesson till now. They are still protecting the big fish who are the brainchild behind the scam," said the source.

A senior police officer said, "Our criminal investigation will be completed only after we question the civic officials who were responsible for keeping a check on the unauthorised constructions in VVCMC area. Though a few have been transferred and others retired, those who are still attached with the VVCMC office are sounding very busy these days."

The Deputy Commissioner of Police Zone 3 Suhas Bawache said, "We are probing this scam in all possible angles. We are conducting a thorough probe in this sensitive matter as these conmen have duped common people, who are busy earning a livelihood. We will not spare any accused involved in the scam."

‘No. of accused may rise'

DCP Zone 2 Pournima Chougule-Shringi said, "We have arrested many accused involved in this scam. But as our investigation proceeds further, the number of accused may increase."

A social activist, Nanasaheb Kolekar said, "I had been raising my voice against the unauthorised constructions in VVCMC area. But the civic officials did nothing. Later, I protested against the civic chief, who falsely implicated me in an FIR."

Kolekar further added, "Many unauthorised buildings are standing tall in Vasai Virar and Nalasopara. The flats in these structures are yet to be sold to home buyers. But the civic officials are not demolishing these buildings as the builders will be at huge loss."

"We made the cases watertight and filed FIRs under multiple sections of IPC, MRTP Act, MOFA Act and Registration Act," said an officer.

Sources have informed mid-day that the prime accused Patil has been trying to seek bail in the case but the Vasai court has rejected the applications.