Top cop told to probe minister’s phone call

Mumbai: The Bombay high Court on Wednesday directed the Navi Mumbai police commissioner to conduct an inquiry into the matter of a phone call made by secretary of state minister who obstructed the court receiver while sealing illegal buildings at Digha, Navi Mumbai.

The court asked the commissioner to submit the report of inquiry within a month. Further, the Navi Mumbai municipal corporation (NMMC) had opposed the state government’s illegal construction regularisation policy, saying it will encourage illegal construction in the near future.

The court also told the advocate general (AG) that the state will not be allowed to compel the NMMC to implement any newly introduced policies or laws. The court was hearing a PIL filed against illegal construction, which had been carried out at Navi Mumbai Digha area. Last year, the court had dered to  demolish around 94 buildings.

On Tuesday, division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Anuja Prabhudesai told the advocate general Rohit Deo that “guardian minister’s secretary had called their court receiver”. This is inappropriate, we can understand if corporators would have called but somebody sitting in the mantralaya should not have done this.” AG Rohit Dev assured the court that state will conduct an inquiry.

On Wednesday, the court directed Navi Mumbai police commissioner to conduct a probe regarding the phone call and directed to collect report filed by the court receiver and local police station, in the court. Further, the court directed the commissioner that he can conduct and investigation by himself or he can appoint a competent officer for the same.

Meanwhile, the court directed court receiver to start sealing six buildings namely Nana park, Sitaram, Omkareshwar, Kalpataru heights, Ekvira, Sulochana. The matter has been kept for further hearing on April 12.