BJP leader Kirit Somaiya has raised allegations of unauthorised transfers and proxy ownership involving 110 affordable housing units at Antop Hill in Mumbai. He has claimed that flats intended for beneficiaries from the Economically Weaker Section (EWS) and Lower Income Group (LIG) were allegedly taken over by individuals he identified as Bangladeshi infiltrators.
On November 11, Somaiya alleged that applications for the MHADA apartments were submitted in the names of Hindu applicants, while the actual beneficiaries were different individuals holding power of attorney. He said he had approached the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) and the state Housing Minister, seeking an investigation and appropriate action.
In his statement, Somaiya wrote, “I have submitted a complaint with documentary evidence to MHADA & the Minister. Demanded investigation & Action.” Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde currently holds the state Housing portfolio.
Somaiya also cited several examples in support of his allegations, claiming that apartments allotted to people including Avinash Ravidhone, Ramesh Ghatal, Shyam Rautekar and Manoj Khambe were being occupied or controlled by other individuals. His list named 11 original allottees and corresponding alleged occupants.
The BJP leader attached a formal complaint, which stated, “More than 50 residents of the MHADA LIG/EWS complex in Noorabazar met with me at my office in Neelam Nagar, Mulund (East). They shared several of their grievances. They are deeply distressed due to issues such as encroachment, physical assaults, illegal infiltration, land jihad, benami (proxy/illegal) transactions, and hooliganism.”
He further demanded an immediate inquiry into alleged irregularities, encroachments and misuse of power-of-attorney arrangements. Somaiya also announced plans to visit the locality on November 14 to assess the situation.
He requested the presence of MHADA officials, municipal representatives and police personnel during the inspection. The allegations are yet to be independently established, and the matter now calls for examination by the concerned authorities.
Source: Op India
