ED begins investigation into 41 illegal Nalasopara buildings case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started investigating an alleged land grabbing and money-laundering case that led to the construction—and eventual demolition—of 41 unauthorised buildings in Agarwal Nagar, Nalasopara East.

- Megha Sood

MUMBAI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has started investigating an alleged land grabbing and money-laundering case that led to the construction—and eventual demolition—of 41 unauthorised buildings in Agarwal Nagar, Nalasopara East.

The buildings, which were constructed on 60 acres of public and private land between 2010 and 2012, were demolished in January following orders from the Supreme Court, which declared that all 41 structures were unauthorised.

The demolition left at least 2,500 families homeless, leading to a discussion in the ongoing budget session of the Maharashtra legislature on the rehabilitation of the affected residents.

After the state government announced the formation of a committee to formulate a rehabilitation policy for the affected residents and members demanded the recovery of rehabilitation expenses from the VVCMC, the ED decided to launch an investigation into the case.