ED Tightens Grip: Former Vasai-Virar Planning Official's Custody Extended in Massive Illegal Buildings Scam

In a significant development stemming from the ongoing investigation into the infamous Vasai-Virar illegal buildings scam, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has successfully secured extended custody of Rajesh Chavan, the former assistant director of town planning for the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation.

A special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court granted the ED's request, extending Chavan's remand until September 10, as the agency deepens its probe into allegations of rampant corruption and money laundering.

Chavan, who was taken into custody by the ED on August 31, stands accused of being a central figure in a pervasive scheme that facilitated the construction of numerous unauthorized buildings across the bustling Vasai-Virar region.

Investigators allege that he routinely abused his official position, granting permissions and overlooking flagrant violations in exchange for substantial illicit financial gains. This alleged pattern of corruption not only undermined urban planning regulations but also contributed to a chaotic and unsafe urban landscape.

The ED's high-stakes PMLA inquiry was initiated based on a series of first information reports (FIRs) previously filed by the Thane Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB).

Between 2017 and 2021, the ACB had registered a staggering 56 FIRs against Chavan and various other individuals implicated in the scandal, painting a grim picture of systemic malfeasance within the civic body. The sheer volume of these cases underscores the scale of the alleged criminal enterprise.

At the heart of the ED's current investigation is the meticulous tracing of the ill-gotten wealth generated from these illegal activities.

The agency suspects that Chavan and his network of associates meticulously laundered the proceeds of their crimes, converting illicit funds into a multitude of immovable properties. Unearthing this complex money trail is crucial to dismantling the financial infrastructure that sustained the scam and ensuring that ill-gotten assets are seized.

The investigation also features other key figures, including Sanjay Mehra, who is alleged to have been a significant paymaster in this corrupt ecosystem.

Mehra was reportedly one of the individuals who paid substantial bribes to Chavan to secure approvals for illegal constructions. Although Mehra was previously arrested by the ACB in 2021 and subsequently granted bail in 2022, his role remains a critical component of the broader conspiracy being unraveled by the ED.

This extended custody marks a critical phase in the relentless pursuit of justice, aiming to fully expose the nexus between corrupt officials and unscrupulous builders.

The ongoing probe by the ED is not just about bringing individuals to account, but also about sending a clear message that such large-scale fraud, which compromises urban development and public safety, will be met with the full force of the law. The residents of Vasai-Virar, whose safety and legitimate development have been jeopardized, await the full revelations of this intricate and alarming scam.