Somaiya accuses Sena (UBT) MLA of ₹500-crore fraud, files complaint

MUMBAI: On Saturday, Bharatiya Janata Party leader Kirit Somaiya submitted a written complaint to the Azad Maidan police station, alleging that Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) MLA Ravindra Waikar has committed a ₹500 crore fraud. Somaiya alleged that Waikar fraudulently obtained approval for the construction of a 5-star hotel on a plot reserved for a garden, by using his political clout, and caused a huge loss to MCGM.

The police haven’t yet registered an FIR based on the complaint. “We have accepted the complaint and further enquired into the matter. After a preliminary inquiry a report will be sent to the zonal DCP for further action,” said a police officer from the Azad Maidan police station. Somaiya in his complaint alleged that on July 26, 2021, BMC approved a 5-star hotel on a plot at Jogeshwari owned by Waikar and some others. Somaiya said the plot is reserved for a garden/park and is presently being used for construction by Waikar and his other partners.

On a plot measuring around 28,000 square feet, construction of about 2 lakh square feet has been allowed with the floor space index (FSI) of over 5 for the hotel for luxury weddings has been illegally approved by the BMC, Somaiya said in his complaint. “Illegal benefit of ₹500 crore made from this and an annual turnover of ₹500 crore expected after its construction,” the BJP leader claimed.

The extra FSI, according to him, is approved under a new scheme of DCPR 17 (1) under which the owner of the plot reserved for recreational ground can handover 70% of the plot to the civic body and use the FSI or TDR of the entire plot on the remaining 30% plot.

Somaiya alleged that Waikar fraudulently got approval for construction of 5-star hotel.