https://www.mid-day.com/mumbai/mumbai-crime-news/article/vasai-virar-illegal-construction-scam-ed-arrests-vasai-virar-ex-civic-chief-in-money-laundering-case-linked-to-illegal-buildings-23589370
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday arrested former Vasai-Virar Municipal Commissioner Anil Pawar and three others, including two builders, in connection with a money laundering case linked to illegal buildings, officials said, reported the PTI.
Anil Pawar was arrested after his role came to surface in alleged money laundering linked to the construction of 41 illegal buildings in Vasai-Virar, a twin-city located on Mumbai's outskirts, which were subsequently demolished by the civic body, an official said, according to the PTI.
The buildings were constructed in the Achole area of Vasai on land reserved for a dumping ground and a sewage treatment plant, he said.
The buildings were constructed in the Achole area of Vasai on land reserved for a dumping ground and a sewage treatment plant, he said.
Besides Pawar, the central agency has arrested a town planner and two builders - Sitaram and Arun Gupta, he said, as per the PTI.
After the arrest, they were brought to state-run J J Hospital in central Mumbai for medical examination. All four will be produced before a local court on Thursday, he said.
The ED conducted raids last month at multiple locations linked to Pawar, including his bungalow in Virar and residences in Mumbai and Nashik.
The raids were conducted a day after the senior bureaucrat was given a farewell at the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation following his transfer from the post of civic commissioner, the news agency reported.
The ED is investigating allegations of large-scale misappropriation of public funds and money laundering involving contractors, civic officials, and middlemen.
Sources in the Central agency had earlier confirmed the raids and added that the sleuths of ED have been conducting raids at 12 different locations connected to Pawar.
In May, the Directorate of Enforcement (ED), Mumbai Zonal Office, had conducted search operations at 13 different locations across Mumbai and Hyderabad under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The Search operation led to seizure of Rs. 9.04 Crore (approx.) cash and Rs. 23.25 Crore worth of diamond-studded jewellery and bullion and a large number of incriminating documents.
ED initiated an investigation on the basis of multiple FIRs registered by the Mira Bhayandar Police Commissionerate against builders, local henchmen and others. The case pertains to “illegal construction of residential cum commercial buildings on government and private land” under the jurisdiction of “VVCMC” since 2009.
Over a while, 41 illegal buildings were constructed on the land reserved for “Sewage Treatment Plant” and “Dumping Ground” as per the approved development plan of Vasai Virar City. The accused builders and developers have deceived and the general public at large by constructing illegal buildings on such land and subsequently selling it to them (general public) by fabricating approval documents. Even with prior knowledge that these buildings were unauthorised and would eventually be demolished, the developers misled the people by selling rooms in these buildings, thereby committing serious fraud.
