Mumbai’s Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into 41 illegally constructed buildings in Vasai East by formally questioning the former commissioner of Vasai‑Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC). The officer underwent a marathon interrogation lasting over nine hours on Monday under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), with proceedings set to continue into Tuesday.
The probe focuses on unauthorised residential and commercial structures erected on a 60‑acre plot designated for a sewage treatment plant and dumping ground, as per the city’s development plan These buildings were demolished in February 2025 following a Bombay High Court order, displacing approximately 2,500 low‑income families. ED sources report that raids were conducted at multiple locations linked to the ex‑civic chief, revealing the seizure of ₹1.33 crore in unaccounted cash and extensive property documentation tied to shell entities registered under relatives and associates. Investigators believe the buildings were approved despite repeated complaints, hinting at collusion among VVCMC officials, developers, architects, and chartered accountants.
Evidence gathered so far includes incriminating digital communications, financial instruments and records indicating that a structured bribe mechanism existed. Builders allegedly paid fixed rates per square foot—up to ₹25—to expedite approvals for the illegal constructions. Those transactions were reportedly laundered via family‑linked entities, enriching insiders and enabling the scam to operate for over a decade since 2009. This week’s questioning follows broader enforcement action that included coordinated raids involving 12 premises across Mumbai, Nashik, Thane and Hyderabad. Among those targeted were the deputy town planning director and former corporators implicated in the illegal building network. Across operations, the ED seized over ₹9 crore in cash and valuables worth more than ₹23 crore including jewellery, bullion, and financial instruments.
Local activists have condemned the scale of the scam, describing it as symptomatic of systemic municipal corruption. Critics note the civic body’s once‑lauded demolition drive—which flattened all 41 illegal buildings in just 22 days—failed to tackle a broader ecosystem that enabled widespread unauthorised development. Urban planning experts warn that the scandal has serious environmental implications, including violations of land allocated for public sanitation infrastructure and improper handling of construction‑demolition waste by the municipal authority, exposing gaps in regulatory enforcement and urban governance.
As the probe continues, ED officials are expected to examine the former commissioner’s statements in light of seized documents and financial ledgers. The unfolding investigation will likely shape future accountability measures and strengthen public trust in municipal oversight. In a city striving toward equitable and sustainable development, the case underscores the complex interplay between civic planning, urban justice, and institutional transparency.
Also Read :Mumbai Civic Body To Demolish Rs 27 Crore Flyover Built In 2018
