Two builders booked for leasing Poman drain land to MSEDCL, causing Rs 4.81 crore loss

A case of large-scale fraud against the Maharashtra power distribution utility, MSEDCL (Mahavitaran), has come to light in Poman in Vasai taluka. It is alleged that land belonging to a natural drain was encroached upon, passed off as private property and leased to MSEDCL. The loss to MSEDCL and the government is put at Rs 4.81 crore.

Padamshi Kalyanji Gajra and Haresh Ramji Bhanushali, partners in M/s Royal Industrial Hub, are accused of doing this on the basis of a forged private survey map. A case has been registered against both under serious sections at Naigaon police station on MSEDCL's complaint. Gajra is stated to be 60 years old and Bhanushali 50. Both live in Poman.

The case concerns 1,858 sq m of land in Survey No. 126/1/1 at Poman. The firm leased the land to MSEDCL in 2015 to build a new power distribution substation. MSEDCL spent Rs 4,81,41,340 to put up a 20 MW (22/22 kV) substation, or switching station, at the site. The information board there puts the cost of the entire project at Rs 8.35 crore.

The irregularity came to light when RTI activist Chandu Vijay Patil obtained government records from the joint sub-registrar's office and the deputy superintendent of land records' office. The records exposed the matter.

An official survey by the land records department found that 624.48 sq m of the total land given to MSEDCL is a natural water drain. Gajra and Bhanushali are alleged to have passed off the encroachment on the drain as their own property, got a false private survey map prepared and leased the land to MSEDCL. The inquiry report submitted to the Konkan divisional commissioner also states that the government was made to suffer a loss of crores of rupees for their financial gain.

Additional District Magistrate Dattatray Kavitke had directed strict action in the matter. MSEDCL executive engineer Pravin Uddhavrao Sute then filed the formal complaint at Naigaon police station. Sub-inspector Ranjit Nalawade is conducting further investigation under the guidance of senior police inspector Sanjay Hazare.

No arrest has been reported so far, but the threat of arrest hangs over both developers. The possible involvement of MSEDCL officials of the time has also been raised.