State seeks ED nod to raze Nirav Modi’s Alibaug house

Mehul Choksi’s bungalow also on list of 202 illegal structures facing demolition

Villas and apartment blocks stand among trees at the Prakuti Resorts Ltd. resort at Kashid beach near Alibag, Maharashtra, India, on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015. Indian central bank Governor Raghuram Rajan left interest rates unchanged three weeks after an unscheduled cut, signaling that he wants to see Prime Minister Narendra Modi's first full-year budget before easing further. Photographer: Dhiraj Singh/Bloomberg

The State government has written to the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which has sealed fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi’s Alibaug bungalow, seeking permission to demolish the illegally-built property on Kihim beach.

Mr. Modi, who is on the run after being named in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) scam, is among 202 bungalow owners who face the threat of their properties being demolished.

‘Flouted all norms’

Dr. Vijay Suryawanshi, Collector, Raigad district, said, “The bungalow is illegally built, flouting all environmental norms. We have begun proceedings to demolish all 202 illegal bungalows in Alibaug and Murud tehsil. Nirav Modi’s property is currently being sealed by the ED and we cannot proceed until we get clearance from them. Therefore, we have written to the ED seeking permission.”

The list of illegal bungalows also includes the one built by diamantaire Mehul Choksi, who is also on run after being named in the PNB scam. Ramdas Kadam, State Environment Minister, said, “As per the initial information, his bungalow is at Awas beach and falls under the list of illegal ones. We will be initiating demolition action on this property as well.”

Stay order on demolition

Mr. Kadam held a meeting on Tuesday with officials to discuss the issue of illegal bungalows being built at beaches in Alibaug and Murud tehsils of Raigad district. As per the data shared by the government, the tehsils have 121 and 151 illegal bungalows respectively. Dr. Suryawanshi said, “We cannot move to demolish all bungalows as owners of 61 structures in Alibaug and 101 in Murud have secured stay orders from the local court.”

The Collector said that a decision would be taken on the buildings constructed by members of the local population. He said, “Once the coastal management plan is finalised, we will analyse this situation. Possibly a few concessions will be given to locals.” Mr. Kadam said the structures built by local fisherfolk would not be altered.

The Raigad district administration has appealed to the district court and requested it to revoke the stay order on the demolition of the illegal bungalows. Dr. Suryawanshi said, “We want to take action against these bungalows under the Environment Protection Act and we have moved our appeal to the district court.”