The Kalyan Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) is set to demolish numerous illegal buildings following a Bombay High Court order. Around 6,500 residents face eviction as their interim applications for relief have been dismissed. This action stems from the KDMC RERA certificate scam, in which 65 builders were found to have fraudulently obtained MahaRERA certificates by submitting forged documents.
Background of the KDMC RERA Scam
The scam was exposed by activist and architect Sandeep Patil, who filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Bombay High Court in 2021. Patil’s complaint led to an internal KDMC inquiry, uncovering that 65 builders had secured MahaRERA certificates using fake and fabricated documents, despite lacking official building permissions. The builders then sold flats to unsuspecting buyers under the guise of legitimate approvals.
The KDMC town planning department filed a cheating and forgery case against these builders, leading to two FIRs being registered at the Dombivli and Manpada police stations on September 27, 2022, and October 3, 2022. Thane’s Special Investigating Team (SIT) took over the probe, freezing the bank accounts of the developers involved. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also launched an investigation into financial fraud linked to the case. Despite 15 arrests, all accused were later released on bail.
Demolition Orders and Legal Proceedings
The Bombay High Court granted a three-month period for affected residents to find alternative housing, which expired on February 3, 2025. The KDMC has since started issuing eviction notices to 45 buildings, giving residents seven days to vacate before demolition begins.
Out of the 65 illegal buildings, residents of Sai Galaxy petitioned the High Court, arguing they had been deceived by the builder. The court granted them a temporary stay until February 3, 2025, allowing time for possible regularization. However, KDMC rejected their regularization application due to violations related to Floor Space Index (FSI), improper margins, and other issues. On February 13, the special judge of the High Court dismissed the Sai Galaxy residents’ interim application, effectively clearing the path for demolitions.
Statements from Officials and Residents
Yogesh Godse, Additional Municipal Commissioner of KDMC, confirmed that the High Court has ordered the demolitions, stating, “Some residents approached the court for relief, but their requests were denied. Now, we will proceed with evacuations and demolitions. Since these buildings are illegal, KDMC does not have any rehabilitation scheme for affected residents.”
Residents, on the other hand, have expressed distress over their impending displacement. A resident of Sai Galaxy recalled purchasing a flat in 2019 while the building was under construction, only to receive a notice about its illegality in 2021. Another resident revealed that the society attempted to approach KDMC for clarification but received no response. By 2024, a second notice was issued, followed by the High Court’s demolition order on November 19, 2024.
Ravi Solanki, a resident of Sai Galaxy’s B Wing, voiced his concerns: “My father, who worked in defense, saved money to buy a flat here. I run an NGO to help people, but now, who will help me? After the High Court order, who will come to our aid? The government? We are middle-lower class families earning ₹15,000 to ₹20,000 per month.”
Rohit Patil, another resident, stated, “I bought the flat after the builder assured me it was a legal project and provided all necessary documents. But now, KDMC will demolish our building, and thousands of residents will be forced out.”
Implications of the Scam and Demolitions
- Thousands of residents are now at risk of being homeless.
- The scam has highlighted systemic loopholes in MahaRERA certification processes.
- Real estate buyers are urged to conduct thorough legal verification before purchasing properties.
- Authorities may impose stricter regulations on real estate certifications to prevent future frauds.
Conclusion
The KDMC RERA scam underscores the severe consequences of real estate fraud. While regulatory bodies have taken action against fraudulent builders, thousands of innocent homebuyers are left to suffer the consequences. This case serves as a crucial lesson in ensuring transparency and accountability in the real estate sector.