ED Raids Expose Property Documents Linked to Former Vasai-Virar Civic Chief

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized multiple property-related documents linked to the former civic chief of Vasai-Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVMC), Anil Pawar, during searches conducted at 12 premises linked to him on Tuesday and Wednesday.

ED sources revealed that Pawar had created numerous entities in the names of his family members, relatives, and benamidars to launder the bribe money collected. The formation of these shell entities coincided with his posting as VVMC commissioner in 2022. These entities are primarily engaged in businesses that absorb large amounts of cash, such as the construction and redevelopment of residential towers, and the construction of warehouses.

Investigations by the ED uncovered an organized cartel of VVCMC officers, including the commissioner, deputy director of town planning, junior engineers, architects, CAs, and liaisoners, all operating in collusion. This cartel is responsible for large-scale illegal construction within VVCMC's jurisdiction. Commissioner VVCMC Anil Pawar, an IAS officer, is accused of orchestrating and sustaining this cartel.

The ED investigation showed that after Pawar assumed the role of commissioner of VVCMC, the commission fee was set at Rs 20-25 per square foot for the commissioner and Rs 10 per square foot for his junior, Y S Reddy (Deputy Director Town Planning), based on the total project area from the builders. During searches at twelve premises associated with Pawar, the ED seized Rs 1.33 crore in unaccounted cash, along with numerous incriminating documents and devices.

These included property documents in the names of relatives and benamidars, as well as cash and cheque deposit slips. Digital devices seized during the operations revealed Pawar's close involvement in creating a nexus of VVCMC officials and architects, CAs, and liaisoners. The money laundering case pertains to the illegal construction of 41 residential and commercial buildings on government and private land under VVCMC's jurisdiction since 2009.

This includes a 60-acre tract designated for sewage treatment and dumping facilities. Although Pawar was not the VVCMC chief at the time of construction, he failed to take action against the developments after assuming office, despite receiving complaints. The 41 buildings were recently demolished following a Bombay High Court order. Flat buyers lost their money as well as their homes.

In May, the ED raided 13 locations in Nalasopara, Vasai, Virar, and Hyderabad, seizing Rs 8.6 crore in unaccounted cash and Rs 23.2 crore worth of jewellery and bullion from the Hyderabad residence of Y S Reddy, deputy director of town planning, VVCMC. A few locals in Vasai burst crackers and distributed sweets late on Tuesday after the news of the ED raid spread across the city. They alleged that since Pawar was the administrator, he took unilateral decisions and corruption peaked during his tenure. 'We also had written to the Maharashtra chief minister to conduct an investigation about his wealth and properties,' said Sushant Patil of the Bhumiputra Sangathan, Vasai.