Ravindra Waikar, the Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray) legislator and a trusted confidant of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, found himself under the scrutiny of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged financial misconduct surrounding the development of a deluxe hotel in Mumbai.
The ED's inquiry revolves around purported irregularities in securing permissions related to the establishment of a high-end hotel in the Jogeshwari area of Mumbai. According to the agency, the acquisition of the plot for the proposed hotel in the city's suburbs was purportedly marred by fraudulent means and breaches of the agreement with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Waikar, who represents the Jogeshwari East Assembly constituency, presented himself at the Enforcement Directorate's premises in south Mumbai today in response to his third summons for interrogation regarding the matter. Renowned for his close association with Uddhav Thackeray, Waikar's involvement in the probe has stirred considerable interest.
The focus of the agency's investigation hinges on allegations of manipulation and nondisclosure concerning the terms and conditions governing land usage for the envisaged construction project. The genesis of the case can be traced back to the BMC's decision to revoke a previous trilateral accord between Waikar's company, the municipal corporation, and a studio that owned the land parcel in 2004, subsequently invalidating the construction permit for the proposed five-star hotel on the contested plot.
Furthermore, the BMC lodged a First Information Report (FIR) against the Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA for purportedly withholding pertinent details from the civic body and distorting the terms of the land usage agreement, aspects which were allegedly omitted in the tripartite agreement inked in 2004 with the BMC for authorization.
The core of the issue lies in a parcel of land situated in Jogeshwari East, initially subject to an open space reservation decree by the BMC several decades ago. This tract, previously under the ownership of the Mahal Pictures company, saw Waikar's acquisition in 2004, prompting a trilateral understanding between the involved parties.
Under the terms of the 2004 agreement, Waikar proceeded to erect the Supremo Club on the designated land parcel, adhering to the stipulations outlined in the 1991 Development Control Regulation (DCR) Rule. However, discrepancies arose when Waikar purportedly failed to surrender the remaining portion of the plot to the BMC, as mandated under the regulation, while the municipal corporation also neglected to take possession of the unallocated 67 percent share of the land.
Subsequently, in 2018, the enactment of a revised development policy catalyzed Waikar's decision to redevelop the property in alignment with the updated guidelines, presenting an opportunity for expanded land utilization compared to the constraints imposed by the 2004 agreement. Consequently, Waikar proceeded to dismantle the Supremo Club and petitioned the BMC for authorization to develop the entirety of the parcel.
In response to ensuing complaints and interventions by political adversaries, including BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, the BMC initiated legal action against Waikar and five other associates, alleging breaches of trust, fraud, and conspiracy, in conjunction with a complaint filed by a BMC sub-engineer.
After these developments, the Enforcement Directorate launched a formal investigation, culminating in the registration of an Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) and the execution of search operations at Waikar's residence, office, club, and the premises of his associates linked to the project.
