Mumbai: In a significant move, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Mumbai Crime Branch, probing the illegal construction of hundreds of bungalows in CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) and No Development Zones (NDZ) in Malad’s Madh area, has recommended the demolition of 207 illegally built bungalows.
According to senior officials, the SIT has sent a formal proposal to the BMC (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation), seeking the demolition of these structures based on their ongoing investigation. Out of the 363 bungalows constructed, 207 have been confirmed as illegal. Investigations into the remaining structures are still underway.
The SIT, comprising teams from Units 2, 7, 8, and the Property Cell, was formed after four FIRs were registered in connection with the scam. Each team was assigned one FIR. Unit 8, which has already filed a chargesheet in court, identified 165 illegal bungalows. Unit 7 recommended the demolition of 40 bungalows, while Unit 2 listed 2 illegal structures. All these recommendations have been forwarded to the BMC by senior Crime Branch officials.
Confirming the development, Additional Commissioner of Police (Crime) Lakhmi Gautam stated that a proposal to demolish 207 illegal bungalows has been sent to the BMC. However, the civic body has so far demolished only one bungalow. A BMC official cited ongoing survey work as the reason for the delay in action, stating that demolition will proceed only after the survey is completed.
The case involves large-scale tampering of maps to enable construction in prohibited zones in Madh’s Erangal village. So far, 14 individuals — including officials from the City Survey and Land Records Department — have been arrested. More arrests are expected as the investigation progresses.
