Corporators’ fate to be decided on June 18

The NCP was saved embarrassment on its foundation day as the hearing of three of its Digha corporators on their disqualification was postponed to June 18.

The election department of NMMC had issued show-cause notices on April 21 to corporators Navin Gavte (ward 4), his wife Aparna Gavte (ward 9) and sister-in-law Deepa Gavte (ward 3). The trio could lose their membership of the house if found guilty of the charges.

The three are accused of resorting to illegal constructions in Digha, which is in the midst of a major controversy after the high court ordered demolition of illegal buildings in the area. MIDC has filed police cases against the three for construction of Moreshwar building in the area, which is alleged to be illegally built on its land.

Navi Mumbai municipal commissioner Tukaram Mundhe had conducted the hearing in his office on May 24.

He gave the three time until June 4 to submit documents and affidavit pertaining to the case. A decision on their membership of NMMC was to be taken on Friday.

According to NMMC sources, the Gavte family had submitted that the hearing on their anticipatory bail was due in court and so sought more time. The hearing was then postponed to June 18.

The Gavtes had earlier approached the high court, asking for relief from the hearing claiming the commissioner does not have the right to take a decision on their membership. The high court of bench of justice Ajay Gadkari and MS Karnik refused to give interim relief and asked them to submit their affidavits to the municipal commissioner.

According to NMMC sources, during the hearing with the commissioner, the Gavtes had argued that the commissioner does not have the right to conduct the hearing and take a decision in the matter. The commissioner dismissed the argument The Gavtes then asked for 10 days period to file their say.