Mira Bhayander, August 09, 2023 :- In a significant turn of events, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Dilip Dhole, the Municipal Commissioner of Mira Bhayander Municipal Corporation (MBMC), in connection with an ongoing money laundering probe related to the Urban Land Ceiling (ULC) scam. The scam, which unfolded between 2014 and 2016, has implicated multiple builders and officials who allegedly colluded to evade surrendering excess land to the government under the Urban Land Ceiling Regulation Act.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Dilip Dhole’s association with Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has come under scrutiny. Dhole’s career trajectory includes a series of appointments that coincide with Shinde’s tenures in various government departments. Notably, Dhole was transferred from the Goods and Services Tax department to the Urban Development Ministry during Shinde’s term as Urban Development Minister. Subsequently, Dhole was posted as Additional Commissioner in MBMC in 2020 and promoted to the position of Municipal Commissioner in 2021.
The ULC scam involved builders within the MBMC jurisdiction allegedly flouting regulations by not surrendering excess land to the government. These builders purportedly colluded with MBMC officials, even beyond the regulatory deadline of 2016. The allegations suggest that bribes exchanged hands, and certain residential plots were falsely declared as agricultural land to evade government requisitions.
Initially investigated by the Thane police in 2016 under the leadership of Parambir Singh, the case took a new turn in 2021. Builder Raju Shah accused Singh of favoring certain builders during the investigation. Following these allegations, the Maharashtra government initiated a fresh probe against Singh and established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to delve deeper into the case. The SIT subsequently made a number of arrests related to the scam.
In the latest development, the ED has assumed control of the money laundering probe concerning the ULC scam. The agency is now investigating various individuals, including builders, officials, and other relevant parties, to unravel the financial intricacies of the case. The summoning of Dilip Dhole indicates the agency’s intent to thoroughly scrutinize his involvement in the ULC scam.
As the investigation progresses, questions arise about the extent of the alleged collusion between builders, officials, and those in positions of power. The outcomes of this probe could potentially impact urban development policies and regulations in the region, prompting a broader discussion about accountability and transparency in governance.
