History reveals shady deals of agency’s corrupt officials

Mumbai: In last 10 years, around five big cases pertaining to the bribery allegations against Mhada officials have led the Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) to arrest a few officials or initiate investigation against them over alleged involvement in approving files related to redevelopment of Mhada societies.

Two months ago, the state government also said that it is going to set up a special investigation team (SIT) to probe allegations against Mhada officials where they allegedly failed to acquire 30 lakh square feet of saleable area across the city. This area was to be acquired as housing stock from private builders. Along with this, the ACB is independently investigating the case and a petition is being filed in the Bombay high court against the same.

A month ago, the ACB arrested Sanjay Patil, deputy community development officer of Mhada, for accepting bribe worth Rs 50,000 from a disqualified lottery winner. Another report of the state housing department held Mhada officials responsible for irregularities in a multi-crore suburban project for redevelopment of Patrawala Chawl in Goregaon citing that due to wrong calculations while charging premium, the developer benefited to the tune of Rs 414 crore.

In 2011, the ACB had filed an FIR against the Mhada officials under prevention of corruption in connection with the Bharat Nagar slum rehabilitation scheme that is in close proximity to Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC). In another case of 2014, a confidential report of the ACB had put the Mhada officials under the dock for causing loss of Rs 39.20 crore by giving additional floor space index (FSI) to a housing society in Juhu near Vile Parle.

What is vigilance department?

A vigilance department is a department in every government body that looks and acts after the complaints filed by any individual against any individual or official of a government body. The vigilance department looks and takes action against the cognisable offence committed by any official.