Mumbai, 14 Aug

(HS): Former Vasai-Virar Municipal Commissioner Anilkumar Pawar was

arrested on Wednesday in connection with illegally granting permission to the

construction of 41 buildings. Three others were also arrested in this

connection.

The Enforcement

Directorate, on August 4. Interrogated Anilkumar Pawar’s wife for about ten

hours, and Anilkumar twice separately. Town Planner Y S Reddi, the main accused in

the case, Sitaram Gupta, his son Arun Gupta have also been arrested.

Earlier, ED had

recovered Rs 8.94 crore in cash, diamond-studded gold and silver jewellery

worth Rs 23.25 crore, shares and mutual fund investments of Rs 13.86 crore.

The 41 buildings

on 60 acres of plot reserved for sewage treatment and dumping ground were given

for the construction of 41 buildings. Involvement of senior officers from the

municipality was suspected. ED raided 12 places, including the residence of Pawar

and his relatives, and recovered Rs 1.33 crore in cash and some Benami property

papers.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar