Cong alleges ₹1,768-crore land scam, BJP rubbishes claims

This is a clear cut case of violation of law, misuse of public authority causing loss to public exchequer. RANDEEP SINGH SURJEWALA, Cong This is not the first case of such allotment to PAPS, including hundreds of land transfers during Congress rule. MADHAV BHANDARI, BJP

MUMBAI: The Congress has alleged that legislators from the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) are involved in a scam of ₹1,768 crore concerning the allotment of a 24-acre, prime plot at Kharghar in Navi Mumbai. At a press conference held in Mumbai on Monday, the Congress demanded a judicial probe into the matter.

“When the market rate in Kharghar node ranges between ₹1.61 and ₹1.84 lakh per square metre, the 24-acre plot was sold for just ₹3.6 crore to Manish Bathija and Sanjay Bhalerao of Paradise Group,” said Mumbai Congress chief Sanjay Nirupam. He alleged “sources” have said Bathija is close to BJP legislator Prasad Lad.

“How did the farmers immediately sell the [allotted] land to the builders for pittance by bringing windfall gain to them? This is a clear cut case of violation of law, misuse of public authority causing loss to public exchequer,” said All India Congress Committee’s (AICC) communications in-charge, Randeep Singh Surjewala.

BJP has denied Congress’s allegations. In addition, Lad has threatened to file ₹500 crore defamation suit against the Congress leaders. According to the Congress, eight farmers who are project affected persons (PAPS) of the Koyna dam built in Satara in the 1950s applied for a 24-acre plot at Ranjanpada, near the proposed Navi Mumbai airport. It was allotted to them in November 2017.

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