Land grab: Minister in soup

The Bombay high court on Friday issued notices to Thane guardian minister and NCP leader Ganesh Naik, his nephew Santosh Tandel and the state government following a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging encroachment by the NCP leader in Navi Mumbai.

A division bench of justices AM Khanwilkar and AP Bhangale also issued notices to the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation, Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) and City and Industrial Development Corporation (Cidco) asking them to file their reply.

Social activist Sandeep Thakur filed the PIL alleging Naik has usurped land measuring over 1.45 lakh sqm, some of which belongs to the MIDC and some to Cidco.

The PIL has claimed that the minister has constructed a “Glass House” on a 301-sqm plot of the total land usurped and he has been using it for official meetings. When any government official tries to remove the encroachment, he is threatened, and this has been going on since 2004, the PIL alleged.

According to information acquired by Thakur from the NMMC under the Right to Information Act, the corporation is not sure whether the “Glass House” that stands on the property is authorised. “NMMC does not have any file regarding its development,” the PIL added.

As per the market rate of the property at Rs16,000 per sqm, its value is estimated to be Rs20.16 crore. In addition, there is an open plot of land next to it measuring 7,52,480 sqm which is not for sale as that too has been usurped. Its value is estimated to be over Rs211 crore, said the PIL.

The MIDC had put this plot up for sale. However, no one dared to purchase it as everyone was aware that it is encroached up on by Naik and his nephew, added the PIL.

Thakur has prayed that steps be taken to remove the encroachment and the property be handed over to the MIDC.

The HC has directed that the affidavits be filed by April 5 and kept the PIL for hearing on April 16.

@DNA