I have done nothing wrong, says Johny

Meg Welfare Group, an association representing municipal Class IV conservancy staff living in municipal quarters at Tulsiwadi, will file an application with the Anti-Corruption Bureau against Municipal Commissioner Johny Joseph in the Tulsiwadi redevelopment project for what they contend is a “criminal misconduct” under Section 13 1(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act. However, Joseph insists that the project is in accordance with rules and there is no illegality or abuse of power. 

The point of contention here is a demolition/ eviction action carried out by the BMC on April 4 at one of the buildings, as part of the project. Amit Maru, Secretary of the Association, claims,  “BMC carried out the action when a stop-work notice issued by BMC’s Building Proposal Department was still in vogue.” The notice was issued in March following an objection from the Estate Department of the Western Railways as the construction fell within 30 metre of the Mahalaxmi Railway Station.

Residents said that complaints will be filed for according monetary favours to M/s Shapoorji Palonji and M/s Akruti Nirman. Joseph contends that the demolished building was located beyond 30 metres of the railway boundary and that stop work notice was withdrawn before the eviction and demolition, after the project architect M/s Prakash Sankpal submitted the indemnity bond that construction would not be carried out within the 30-metre purview.

“No construction will be allowed within 30 meters without NOC from the Railways,” Joseph contends.