Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ravindra Waikar is under scrutiny as the Mumbai Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed an FIR against him and five others. The case revolves around the alleged breach of an agreement with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) by constructing a luxury hotel in Jogeshwari.
The FIR was initiated following a complaint from a BMC sub-engineer at Azad Maidan, Mumbai. It names several suspects, including Arun Dubey, a business partner of Waikar, Aasoo Nehlanai, Raj Lalchandani, Prithpal Bindra, and Waikar's wife, Manisha Waikar.
An important part of this case is a tripartite agreement signed back in 2004 between Waikar, Manisha, Nehlani, Lalchandani, Bindra, and the BMC. In 2004, Waikar acquired a two-acre plot from Mahal Pictures Pvt. Ltd. (Kamal Amrohi Studios), and a division agreement was reached with the BMC.
Under this agreement, 67% of the land was to remain open for public use, while construction was permitted on 33% of the site, following the DP-1991 policy. The agreement explicitly stated that the owner or occupant would not seek compensation or transfer of development rights for the entire plot.
However, Waikar later opted to demolish his Supremo Club, located on the 33% portion, and recreate it according to the new development plan. This decision was made because the BMC had not yet taken over the portion designated for public use.
The accused are alleged to have hidden this earlier agreement when they proposed a new development plan under the revised DCPR 2034 two years ago. This new plan secured development clearance for a 14-story hotel on 30% of the plot. This plot was originally intended for sporting and leisure activities.
According to sources, Waikar started a catering business and a wedding hall, earning substantial profits between 2004 and 2017. While Waikar had BMC authorization to construct the hotel in the MVA administration, a notification sent to him earlier this year claimed that the hotel was being built on property designated for public use.
As of 2019, the BMC reserves 30% of private plots for the development of open space under DP-34 while still permitting the use of the full FSI for the entire site. The BMC also grants an FSI of 5 for the construction of star hotels, citing job creation as a reason for this provision.
As of now, police have made no arrests in this case. But according to reports, the police may summon the MLA and the other suspects for further questioning. Police have filed a complaint for committing fraud, deceitfully procuring the delivery of property, criminal conspiracy, and criminal breach of trust.
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