Petition says UDD wrongly stayed MMRDA notice

Mumbai: Social activist Praveen Wategaonkar has filed a petition in Bombay high court alleging that the Urban Development Department (UDD) has overstepped its rights and stayed a notice sent by MMRDA to a MMRDA food court owner who allegedly erected an illegal structure at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC).

In his petition, Mr Wategaonkar has stated that MMRDA floated tenders for the food court and among many bidders, awarded the tender to Spice and Grains Overseas Pvt. Ltd.

After a few months, MMRDA found that the company had illegally erected a certain structure and accordingly, issued notice to its owners. However, Spice and Grains Overseas approached UDD, Mantralaya, against the MMRDA notice and Ranjit Patil, minister of state, UDD, stayed the notice. Mr Wategaonkar has said that this happened thrice. He has further alleged that Mr Patil stayed the MMRDA notice under section 53 which is wrong. The petitioner has also alleged that the director of Spice and Grains Overseas, Piyush Arun Bongirwar, is the brother-in-law of Pravin Pardeshi who is principal secretary to CM Devendra Fadnavis. Mr Wategaonkar has requested the court to direct the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to register a case against and also restrain Mr Pardeshi from handling UDD and the home department till inquiry is completed.

Mr Wategaonkar has further requested the court to call for all records related to UDD proceedings. He has stated that  the court should monitor the investigation.