‘Illegal’ bungalow at Solapur lands BJP minister in trouble

MUMBAI: The state cooperation minister Subhash Deshmukh has landed in trouble over allegedly building an illegal bungalow in Solapur city.

The bungalow has allegedly been built on a plot reserved for fire brigade by the civic body.

The Solapur civic chief Avinash Dhakne in his recent report to the Bombay high court termed the bungalow as “illegal”. The report also states, the permission for construction was given on the plot when there was a reservation on the land, which is contrary to the provisions and thus they are revoking all the permission granted thus far.

Since the procedure for regularisation was also not followed, the existing structure on the plot becomes illegal, unlawful and unauthorised and needs to be dealt with provisions of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act.

Though Deshmukh owns the plot, he violated the conditions laid down by the municipal corporation while allowing construction on the plot, it is said.

Deshmukh denied the allegations and said, “The house was built only after taking proper approvals from local authorities. The matter needs to be investigated. I am ready to resign if found guilty. I will remove the structure if court finds it illegal.”

The matter pertains to a two acre plot in Amajarewadi in Solapur city, purchased by Deshmukh in 2000 for ₹50 lakh.

Despite the plot being reserved for a fire brigade, the corporation gave him conditional approvals on two different occasions for construction on the plot.

The first approval was given in 2004 and second in 2012 allowing construction on 600sqft and later, extended it to 9,425sqft.

The corporation in its report has pointed out that Deshmukh was given construction permission on 9,425sqft of the plot, but the actual construction was found to be more than the permitted area. The civic body gave the approval on the condition that the state’s decision on the issue would be binding on the land owner. The matter went to court after two activists filed two separate cases, public interest litigation and contempt of court petition. While hearing the contempt petition, the court had asked the municipal corporation to submit its report on the matter. Congress spokesperson Sachin Sawant said, “The cooperation minister should be immediately removed from his position.’’

COOPERATION MINISTER SUBHASH DESHMUKH DENIED WRONGDOING, SAID WILL RESIGN IF FOUND GUILTY