The Byculla police has registered an FIR against a real estate developer for allegedly illegally demolishing a building and threatening and assaulting local residents.
The Byculla police has registered an FIR against a real estate developer for allegedly illegally demolishing a building and threatening and assaulting local residents. The FIR has been registered against Sumer Associates, which owns properties in many areas of the city. The FIR has been registered against six people identified as Rahul Shah, Ramesh Shah, Shabir Issa Khan, Shashikant Singh, Rashik and Ram Pande. According to residents, some of the owners of Sumer Associates were also present during the incident.
Late night Saturday, 30 to 40 men entered the area near Mathar Pakadi Road in Mazgaon and allegedly started pulling down tarpaulin covers on some of the shops. “Residents have alleged that the men came with a bulldozer and even managed to raze down two shops,” said an officer from Byculla police station. He added that the goons brandished knives and sticks and threatened to hit locals when they protested. According to police sources, residents suspect that Sumer Associates was behind all of this as the builder had allegedly been trying to acquire land in the locality and wanted to redevelop some flats despite resistance from locals.
Residents allegedly informed the police that the builder had personally threatened them he would return and demolish every house in the area. “The complainant mentioned the accused sent his goons to demolish small shops and old buildings in the area. We are still investigating their claims and probing involvement of the builder,” said the officer.
A senior officer from Byculla police station informed that the residents had visited the police station, alleging manhandling by the goons. “There were some women too who alleged that the goons had inappropriately touched them when they protested their acts. We are looking into all allegations,” he said.
