Plot case: BMC issues show cause notice

MUMBAI: Taking a serious note of lethargic approach shown by the civic officials, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) committee has issued a show-cause notice to three law department officials, including the head of the department, in the controversial Joges-hwari plot case.

According to civic officials, the notice says that the case has been handled in a manner that it is detrimental to the interests of the BMC. There have also been inordinate delays. Hence, the role of the legal department in this case needs to be inquired into.

A senior civic official said, "The show cause notices have been sent asking the accused officials to submit their responses before the inquiry committee. The report will be prepared in next eight days. Hence the process of giving the notices has been initiated."

According to sources, officials from the Development Plan (DP) are also likely to be investigated in the case. The show-cause notices will also be sent to them along with the law department officials.

The BMC had failed to acquire the 3.3 acre plot in Jogeshwari for setting up a recreational ground, thereby facing a loss of '500 crore. Subsequently, it lost the case in the Bombay high court and in the Supreme Court too.

Following this, the BMC chief Ajoy Mehta has ordered an inquiry against the legal department over the loss of the plot. Stating that the BMC legal department has carelessly handled the matter.