State housing authority under ACB scanner

The Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) has sought the state housing department’s opinion before initiating a probe against Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada) CEO S.S. Zende and Mhada Repair and Redevelopment Board CEO Sumant Bhange. The development comes following a complaint filed by an Right To Information (RTI) activist seeking a probe into the duo’s alleged failure to acquire 5,000 flats (1.05-lakh square metre) across South Mumbai as housing stock from the private builders.

The private builders were given additional Floor Space Index (FSI) under the Development Control Regulation 33 (7), wherein the developers are granted permission to redevelop old cessed buildings and in return surrender some surplus area (housing stock) to Mhada.

Documents accessed by The Asian Age reveal that on June 1 this year, RTI activist Kamlakar Shenoy filed a complaint against Mr Zende and Mr Bhange with the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) and the ACB. The complaint reads, “For 10 years, I have been following up with the Mhada about the collection of surplus area from the developers. Despite the regular follow-ups, the Mhada, under the leadership of Mr Zende and Mr Bhange and other officials, failed to attach the properties and initiate recovery proceedings against the developers. This has caused wrongful gains to the developers and loss to the Mhada and public at large who deserves a good home.”

Following Mr Shenoy’s complaint, then deputy commissioner of police (economic offences) Pravin Padwal wrote to the director general of police (ACB) on June 03 this year, stating, “On the scrutiny of the above complaint, it has been noticed that the mentioned matter pertains to the jurisdiction of your office/department. Hence, the same is forwarded to you.”

Mr Padwal, now deputy commissioner of police, (DCP) Zone-III, said, “The matter is related to a government official and it is the ACB that has to look into it.”

Documents accessed by The Asian Age also reveal that an ACB official in an internal note dated June 8, 2016, stated, “As per the application, it seems to be a huge scam wherein the applicant is also ready to help. If ordered by higher authority, a secret investigation will be conducted.”

On July 1, 2016, former DGP (ACB) Satish Mathur had said, “An issue/application is first sent to the ministry concerned (UD/housing) for its opinion and, thereafter, points are raised related to the matter.”

On whether the housing department has replied on the issue, ACB chief Vivek Phansalkar said, “We are still investigating and would not be able to divulge details.”

Meanwhile, Shrikant Singh, principle secretary, housing department, said, “The ACB is supposed to send a complaint to the home department first and not to the housing department. However, I will check if the ACB has sent anything to us.”

Stating that the ACB cannot seek opinion from a ministry (housing) where the scam took place, Mr Sehnoy said, “The ACB is wilfully and deliberately trying to shield dishonest officials. It should have filed a First Information Report (FIR) against the officials immediately after receiving my complaint.”

Documents accessed by The Asian Age also reveal that the Mhada had filed FIRs against 29 builders for failing to return the surplus area. Mr Shenoy claimed, “While 379 builders has defaulted, the Mhada has filed FIRs against 29 only. Mhada could have attached their properties, but did nothing.” This newspaper tried contacting Mr Zende and Mr Bhange, but they were not available for comments.

Housing stock An RTI activist has filed a complaint against Mhada CEO S.S. Zende and Mhada Repair and Redevelopment Board CEO Sumant Bhange. He has alleged that the duo failed to acquire 5,000 flats (1.05-lakh sq m) across South Mumbai as housing stock from the private builders.