For Mahendra Chokshi, the Rs 85-lakh value attached to his Kandivli flat represents decades of savings and the financial security he expected in his later years. Instead, the 81-year-old, who is blind and dependent on others, has spent the past four years living in an old-age home after his apartment was demolished for redevelopment.
Chokshi is among around 50 flat owners and homebuyers caught up in prolonged redevelopment disputes, with claims running into several crores. Many of those affected are elderly, disabled or living alone, and some say they have been waiting for more than a decade for homes or payments promised under redevelopment agreements.
At least 21 cases have been registered against members of the Tanna family in connection with projects in D N Nagar, Andheri, Kandivli and Goregaon. Investigations have been taken over by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW), with chargesheets filed in several matters. Jayesh Tanna has been arrested, while his brother Deepa Tanna is absconding. Jayesh’s wife Heena, son Vivek, daughter Shraddha and daughter-in-law Anita have also been named in the cases and secured anticipatory bail.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has separately registered a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
For Chokshi, the dispute dates to 2010, when his original home was demolished. He alleges that the property was later dealt with through forged memorandums of understanding and that the alternative accommodation, transit rent and Permanent Alternative Accommodation Agreement promised under the redevelopment arrangement were not provided.
Other complainants include 92-year-old bedridden Kamla Gandhi, who has claims exceeding Rs 7 crore, and 82-year-old Vijay Jadhav, who is seeking around Rs 5 crore relating to a D N Nagar project.
Seventy-one-year-old Jayshree Shah says she has been waiting since 2010 for around Rs 90 lakh.
“I don’t have any other property. I had handed over my flat for redevelopment, hoping to get extra space in the new project. But now, after 15 years, I am still homeless and living in a rented flat. The builder has also stopped paying our rent, Shah said”
Another complainant, Mehul Katara, raised questions over firearm licences held by members of the Tanna family.
“Despite all these cases, Jayesh possessed a weapon licence, When I complained to the Human Rights Commission, police cancelled his licence in 2026. Vivek and Deepa’s licences have not been revoked. Why?” he said.
Source: Times of India
