Navi Mumbai Court Bars BJP Corporator-Elect Over Alleged Illegal Construction
Navi Mumbai, Feb 04: A civil court in Belapur has restrained a corporator-elect of the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation from functioning after finding prima facie merit in an election petition alleging suppression of facts related to illegal construction.
The interim order was passed on February 2 by the Civil Judge (Senior Division) in a petition filed by Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) candidate Ashwini Vijay Mane, who contested from Ward 23/B. Mane challenged the election of BJP’s Rupali Kismat Bhagat, who won with 10,571 votes, while Mane received 5,204 votes. The elections were held on January 15, with the results declared on January 19.
The petition alleged that Bhagat failed to disclose her connection to two illegal multi-storey buildings constructed by her husband and relatives on CIDCO land, a matter pending before the Supreme Court. The court observed that the alleged non-disclosure affected Bhagat’s eligibility to contest the election and restrained her from acting as a corporator pending further hearing. The matter has been scheduled for the next hearing on February 12.
This development has raised questions about transparency and accountability in local governance. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) is a key administrative body responsible for the development and maintenance of Navi Mumbai, a planned satellite township of Mumbai. The corporation plays a crucial role in infrastructure development, urban planning, and public services.
The allegations of illegal construction on CIDCO land, a government-owned entity, highlight the ongoing challenges in ensuring compliance with land use regulations and building codes. CIDCO, the City and Industrial Development Corporation, is a statutory body responsible for the development of Navi Mumbai and other regions in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
This case underscores the importance of thorough background checks and disclosure requirements for candidates contesting in local body elections. It also highlights the need for stringent enforcement of laws and regulations to prevent malpractices and ensure fair and transparent governance.
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