CARTELS OF CIVIC OFFICIALS AND ARCHITECTS BEHIND ILLEGAL BUILDINGS: ED

A cartel of architects, chartered accountants (CAs), liaisoners (intermediaries) and officials of the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) was responsible for large-scale illegal construction within the jurisdiction of the municipal corporation, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has found in its money laundering probe into the construction of 41 illegal buildings in Vasai East, which were demolished as per court orders earlier this year.

- Abhishek Sharan

Bribes in the range of ₹25-50 per square foot (sqft) were paid to a range of civic officials towards approval of plans for buildings, some individuals covered under the probe have told the investigating agency, said an ED officer.

"We are currently verifying the claims," the officer noted.