Mumbai: ED Searches Underway At 13 Locations In Vasai-Virar In Illegal Housing Scam In Nalasopara; Builder Anil Gupta Under Scanner

Mumbai: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is conducting search operations at 13 locations on Wednesday within the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, including the residence and office of Anil Gupta, a Vasai-based builder.

Probe Over Construction Of Unauthorised Buildings In Nalasopara

The investigation centres around the construction of 41 unauthorised residential-cum-commercial buildings in Nalasopara, built on a 60-acre plot of land originally earmarked for a sewage treatment plant and a dumping ground. The accused builders, along with their local accomplices, forged approval documents and fabricated fake sale agreements, defrauding vulnerable and low-income residents in the process.

The ongoing search operation aims to collect further evidence and identify individuals involved in these illegal construction activities and fraudulent schemes.

Action Follows Multiple FIRs By Police Commissionerate

This action follows multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by the Mira Bhayandar Police Commissionerate, which ultimately led to the recording of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) by the ED.

The ED is investigating allegations of land grabbing and illegal construction, with investigations focusing on the chain of events and individuals involved in the construction and demolition.

In November 2024, 41 unauthorised residential buildings in Nalasopara were demolished following a directive from the Bombay High Court. The demolition drive, carried out by the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation, left over 2500 families homeless.