Daijiworld Media Network – Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 29: In a fresh twist to the infamous Vasai-Virar illegal construction scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday launched a fresh wave of raids at 12 different locations across Maharashtra, intensifying its ongoing money laundering probe. Among those under the scanner is former Vasai-Virar Municipal Commissioner Anil Pawar, whose official residence and office were raided, just a day after his official transfer and farewell.
Sources in the probe agency revealed that the scam centres around 41 illegal buildings constructed on nearly 60 acres of land originally reserved for public utilities, including a sewage treatment plant and dumping ground, under the Vasai-Virar civic development plan.
The ED suspects widespread collusion between civic officials and local builders, with forged documents and fake sale agreements used to bypass regulations. Thousands of economically weak buyers, many reportedly unaware of the illegalities, were sold homes in these buildings—structures that have since been demolished on court orders, displacing over 2,500 families.
Earlier phases of the investigation in May and July led to the seizure of massive unaccounted assets, including Rs 8.6 crore in cash and Rs 23 crore worth of jewellery and bullion from the residence of YS Reddy, former Deputy Director of Town Planning in Hyderabad. Financial assets worth Rs 12 crore were also frozen.
The crackdown has also implicated former corporator Sitaram Gupta, from whose residence Rs 45 lakh in cash was unearthed behind a plywood panel, and Vijay Tambat, who is reportedly linked to criminal syndicates.
Authorities said that despite multiple judicial directives, rehabilitation for displaced families is yet to be fully implemented. The Bombay High Court and Supreme Court have called for urgent government-led resettlement measures.
As the ED continues to unravel deeper layers of corruption in this high-profile scam, officials indicated that more raids and arrests are expected in the coming weeks. The case has sent shockwaves through the state’s political and administrative corridors, raising serious questions about accountability within urban planning bodies.