The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday moved an application before the Bombay High Court urging to be heard before deciding on the demolition of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s bungalow at Alibaug.
The application was moved before a division bench of Chief Justice Naresh Patil and Justice N.M. Jamdar in a public interest litigation filed in 2009 by Sambhuraje Yuvakranti of Akhil Bhartiya Maratha Seva Sangh. The PIL is with respect to the failure of the State government and Union of India to take action against bungalows and illegal houses constructed in the coastal regulation zone (CRZ) areas.
On December 6, 2018, an affidavit was filed by Vijay Suryavanshi, Collector of Raigad, saying, “Mr. Modi’s illegal bungalow was demolished on December 5 and demolition notices were issued to 58 other bungalows on December 4...”
However, on December 26, 2018, ED received a letter from sub-divisional officer, at Alibaug revenue and forest department, seeking permission from the agency before demolishing the said bungalow. The ED said it has attached Mr. Modi’s properties so it needs to be heard. The matter will be heard on January 25.
