Mumbai: Two lawyers, Sibte Hasan and Kotesh Reddy, have launched a campaign against "widespread corruption" in the BMC's pay-and-park schemes. Through sting operations, they discovered contractors charging exorbitant fees at multiple parking sites, far above the BMC's official rates. They also accused the civic body and Colaba Police of "protecting" these contractors, allowing them to exploit citizens with impunity.
Lawyers Reveal Corruption in BMC Pay-and-Park Schemes
On August 4, 2025, Adv. Reddy parked his vehicle (MH04JM9325) at the K. Dubash Road pay-and-park at Kala Ghoda, managed by Pimpleshwar Mahila Bachat Gat. The attendant demanded Rs 500, later reduced to Rs 400 after protest, despite MCGM’s rate of ₹70 per hour.
Later that day, at Lansdowne Road, near Regal Cinema, run by Creative Enterprises, he was charged Rs 700. On July 6, 2025, Hasan was overcharged Rs 200 for an hour at K. Dubash Road, where the attendant, Jatinder Kumar, refused a proper receipt and later issued one with a fake entry time, against the official Rs 70 rate.
Police and Civic Officials Accused of Shielding Illegal Practices
When Reddy approached the Colaba Police Station to file an FIR, officers there allegedly stalled for six hours, finally registering FIR No. 186/25 against “unknown persons,” ignoring the named culprits. Hasan’s complaint to MCGM about the K. Dubash Road incident was ignored.
The BMC's assistant engineer Ravi Maske, who previously took swift action in a Kala Ghoda case—filing FIRs (No. 129/25, 133/25) and blacklisting the contractor after a Rs 15,000 fine—let 12 other contractors off with similar fines, allowing them to continue operations.
The lawyers highlight this inconsistency. For example, Creative Enterprises, with prior FIRs for overcharging in 2016 and 2017, still operates without punishment. In 2022, Kala Ghoda’s then-contractor was fined only Rs 4,000 for overcharging, with no FIR or blacklisting, suggesting favoritism by civic officials.
Public Interest Litigation in the Works to Demand Accountability
Hasan and Reddy are preparing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to demand FIRs against the guilty contractors, blacklisting of Pimpleshwar Mahila Bachat Gat and Creative Enterprises, and strict action against Maske and complicit police officers.
The pay-and-park scam is cheating everyday Mumbaikars who rely on these facilities. Drivers are forced to pay three to ten times the official rates, with no proper receipts or accountability.
The contractors ask motorists to leave their car keys with them and then they do double parking near Horniman Circle, Nagindas Master Road, Tamarind Lane and other roads not far away from the high court additing to heavy congestion.
The lawyers’ evidence, including photos of BMC's rate charts and UPI transaction records, clearly shows how contractors are breaking rules while officials turn a blind eye. "This isn’t just about overcharging—it’s about a system where public servants and police seem to shield lawbreakers, leaving citizens helpless," said Ejaz Khan, a victim.
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The advocates are urging the public to speak up and report similar incidents. They believe this corruption can only be stopped if the BMC audits all pay-and-park sites and takes firm action against guilty contractors and officials.
“We’re fighting for every Mumbaikar who’s been overcharged and ignored,” said Reddy. “It’s time to clean up this racket and hold those responsible accountable.”
