VVCMC Official Suspended as ED Seizes ₹32 Cr From Hyd Home

In a city like Mumbai, which has an acute scarcity of space...public spaces cannot be encroached by dumping vehicles confiscated or seized by the police HIGH COURT BENCH

- Prateem Rohanekar

MUMBAI: Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) deputy director (town planning) YS Reddy has been suspended from service following the seizure of cash and valuables worth ₹32 crore from his Hyderabad residence last week. The suspension order bearing VVCMC commissioner Anil Pawar's signature was issued on Monday.

Reddy will also face a departmental inquiry regarding his alleged connection with the construction of 41 illegal buildings in Vasai East, which were demolished earlier this year as per orders of the Bombay high court, the suspension order stated. Reddy's alleged actions were in violation of the Maharashtra Civil Services (conduct) rules, the order said.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is conducting a money laundering probe in connection with construction of the 41 illegal buildings on a 60-acre plot reserved for a sewage treatment plant and dumping ground, conducted searches at 13 locations in Vasai-Virar and Hyderabad last week. The searches led to the seizure of ₹8.6 crore in cash and diamond-studded jewellery and bullion worth ₹23.25 crore from Reddy's Hyderabad residence.