26 FIRs filed against unscrupulous real estate developers

MIDC have been lodged Twenty three FIRs at the Rabale MIDC police station errant real estate developers, who have used the government land to cheat poor or low income group buyers in Digha, whereas; another three FIRs were lodged against illegal buildings in Digha and case was filed by Brajesh Mishra, a social activist, under MRTP (Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act) act.  Till now police has arrested four of the accused builders and have sent them to jail after high court slammed the authorities for their lax attitude.

Apart from that the demolition drive which was aims to clear 90 illegal buildings as they were on the land of MIDC, has still pending because residents of these buildings are in the process to obtain stay orders from the court. The two buildings which were targeted by demolition team of MIDC are; Moreshwar Apartment and Ambika Building have got stay till December 31, 2015 and all of these things are delaying the action of MIDC. According to P B Chavan, the Executive Engineer of MIDC, “Our demolition team is ready with action plan to take proper strike, and we have served the seven-day notice to the building owners, residents, but they have ample of time to seek the court’s help and, derailing our plan. Ans it has happen more than once since December 1, 2015 when we were supposed to start demolition, but now at this point of time we are unsure when to start the drive.

It is reported that three buildings were razed in October, 2015 by MIDC, rendering over a 100 families homeless. On the other side a coordination committee, which comprise of CIDCO, NMMC and MIDC officials, has also been constituted as per court order with an aim to verify property documents and FIRs allegation before demolish them.

Bombay High Court

During the hearing of two PILs filed by Rajiv Mishra and advocate Mayura Maru raising concerns over mushrooming illegal constructions in Navi Mumbai, the Bombay High Court took a stern view on the issue and has  directed that criminal cases should be registered against builders responsible for them.

The division bench of Justices an S Oka and V L Achiliya who were herring the plea said, “People are being taken for a ride. FIR needs to be registered against these builders and Criminal law needs to be set in motion. Illegal construction is a serious offence under the IPC and the MRTP & builders should not only be held responsible, but also penalized for it.

The court has directed a senior police officer from Navi Mumbai to be present before it on October 19. “We would like to know what steps the police have taken against defaulting builders. A special team comprising senior officers to inquire into this should be constituted by the Police Commissioner of Navi Mumbai,” it added.

The state government had told the court earlier this week that it plans to regularize all illegal constructions in Navi Mumbai and a policy on this will be framed shortly.