The controversy surrounding the multi-crore Tulsiwadi redevelopment project mooted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation took a dramatic turn on Sunday.
The controversy surrounding the multi-crore Tulsiwadi redevelopment project mooted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation took a dramatic turn on Sunday. Meg Welfare Group (MWG), an association representing 724 civic conservancy workers staying in the area, wrote to Joint Commissioner of Police Arup Patnaik alleging the Tardeo police station was “acting as free-of-cost force to the private developers (Mangal Shrusti Grihanirman Private Limited) for their commercial gains”.
Amit Maru, secretary of the association, said, “We attached a letter written by Assistant Municipal Commissioner Ramesh Pawar (dated Dec 11, 06), where he contends that demolition of one of the three buildings razed so far was carried out by private developers with help from Tardeo police without BMC’s permission.” In the letter, a copy of which is with DNA, Pawar said no environmental clearance — which is necessary — was sought. The information was procured under the RTI Act.
Alleging a partisan attitude by the cops, Maru said, “Despite it being a cognisable offence, police are yet to register the complaint.” On Saturday, a civic demolition squad had to beat a hasty retreat following strong protests from people residing in the municipal staff quarters, who refused to vacate their houses, saying that they hadn’t received eviction notices. A fracas followed and two residents, Harji Navar and Valibhen Vanel, were admitted to Nair Hospital with complaints of chest pain and high-blood pressure, respectively.
Maru, who was on among the residents detained after the incident, said, “The police did not even register a complaint against Sr PI Sharad Yeolekar and AMC Pawar.”
YP Singh, lawyer for the protesters, said, “We plan to invoke legal remedies against the BMC, police and the developers. It is stunning to learn that cops should take instructions of a private developer.”
JCP Patnaik said, “The police provide protection for any demolition carried out at the instance of the BMC and Collectors Office. We will ascertain facts from the BMC top brasses about the demolished building.”
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