ED arrests ex-Vasai-Virar Municipal Commissioner, builders in illegal construction scam

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], August 14 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has arrested four individuals, including senior civic officials and builders, in connection with an illegal construction case linked to the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation (VVCMC).
The arrested accused are Anil Powar, IAS, former Municipal Commissioner of VVCMC; Sitaram Gupta, builder and corporator from the Bahujan Vikas Aghadi; Arun Gupta, builder; and YS Reddy, suspended Deputy Town Planner of VVCMC. All were taken into custody on August 13 under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
ED officials told the ANI that the investigation revealed that certain builders had constructed illegal buildings and sold them to unsuspecting buyers. Following a Supreme Court order, these illegal structures were demolished, leaving many homebuyers homeless.
During the probe, ED conducted search operations at multiple locations, seizing large amounts of cash, jewellery, and incriminating electronic evidence. Officials cited WhatsApp chats between the suspended Deputy Town Planner and the former Municipal Commissioner, allegedly indicating the existence of an organised cartel to collect bribes on a per-square-foot basis in exchange for project approvals.
The accused will be produced before a special PMLA court in Mumbai, where the agency will seek their custody for further investigation. (ANI)