Mid-Day; Mumbai; 21 October 2010
Accused intimidate police owing to their alleged business relations with a former state CM
Not every cop is a 'Chulbul Pande' in real life. Police of Nirmal Nagar have developed cold feet in arresting two corrupt builders involved in a Slum Rehabilitation Development (SRA) scam, despite an FIR being filed against them.
The builders Ramakant Jadhav and Prakash Ajgaonkar are allegedly business partners of a former state chief minister, who is currently a minister in the Centre.
The scam came to the notice of Nirmal Nagar residents after an RTI was filed in September. According to SRA rules, consent of at least 70 per cent of the occupants is essential to redevelop a building.
The RTI revealed that the duo had forged the signatures of the residents on papers in order to show the required approval and claimed to have discussed the redevelopment plans with 300 society residents.
Ajit Atmaram Ajgaonkar, a resident of society, said, "The builder never held a meeting with us. He submitted documents with forged signatures.
The biggest catch was the signature of a woman who had died in 2005. Surprisingly, the redevelopment plan was submitted in 2009 and that woman was illiterate and always used a thumbprint."
The shocked residents were in for more disappointment when Nirmal Nagar police refused to indict the accused builders.
As a result, the residents took the matter to the High Court, where the police was ordered to file charges against Jadhav and his ally.
When contacted, PS Bagade, senior inspector, Nirmal Nagar police station, said, "We have registered an FIR against the builders. Matter is under investigation."
Fir Filed
On September 19, an FIR was filed against Jadhav and Ajgaonkar, the owners of Shivalik Ventures, under sections 420, 465, 466, 467, 468, 474, 114 and 34 of IPC.
But police have taken no action against them as the alleged duo have high level contacts at the Centre.
.JPG)
.JPG)
