In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the Basic Services to Urban Poor (BSUP) housing project scam, a senior officer from the Economic Offences Wing, Mahendra Shellar, has surrendered to the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). Shellar faces allegations of demanding a substantial bribe amounting to ₹50 lakh in connection with a separate financial fraud case. This comes on the heels of the arrest of his accomplice, police constable Ganesh Wanve, who had already been taken into custody in relation to the same case. While Wanve was apprehended, Shellar had managed to evade arrest until his surrender.
A Bribe for Avoiding Arrest
The allegations against Shellar and Wanve revolve around their purported solicitation of a bribe from a complainant. Their primary objective was to secure immunity from their own arrest in the ongoing fraud case and to obtain bail for an accomplice who had been detained by the Naya Nagar police just a week prior to these developments. In response to these revelations, a senior police official, who wished to remain anonymous, disclosed that the BSUP case would be transferred to a senior officer affiliated with the central crime branch unit. This decision is aimed at ensuring that the investigations proceed smoothly and without any interruptions.
Insider Involvement and Political Interference
The BSUP housing project scam has gained substantial attention due to recent findings that indicate the accused individuals had access to official lists of allocated flats and other documents associated with legitimate beneficiaries. These discoveries have raised suspicions of potential insider involvement and political interference in the criminal activities linked to the scam. As investigators dig deeper, questions surrounding the extent of this involvement are becoming increasingly relevant.
Exploitation of Vulnerable Homebuyers
A Free Press Journal report further mentioned that investigations have revealed the gang's modus operandi, which involved exploiting vulnerable prospective homeowners. Victims were coerced into handing over significant sums of money, ranging from ₹7-10 lakh, with promises of securing a flat in the BSUP project. Upon receiving the funds, the gang would furnish the victims with counterfeit documents, such as ration cards. These fraudulent documents falsely indicated the address of the tenement and listed the victim's name as a potential beneficiary on the slum survey list.
About BSUP
The BSUP scheme, initially envisioned to provide housing to thousands in Janta Nagar and Kranti Nagar, has been marred by persistent delays and reduced allocations. As a result, only 473 slum dwellers have been relocated, leaving thousands of eligible beneficiaries still residing in temporary accommodations. The gang responsible for fraudulent activities seized the opportunity presented by these delays and uncertainties to carry out their illegal schemes. In a separate incident in November 2023, officials from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mira Bhayandar-Vasai Virar (MBVV) arrested six individuals, two of whom were allegedly involved in a fraudulent allotment of flats within the BSUP housing project in Kashimira. While these arrests represent progress in the fight against housing scams, some individuals who had previously been detained for deceiving numerous people with promises of housing in the project are currently out on bail.
Share
Tweet
