Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored:

A major scam has come to light in the BMC’s P South Ward, exposing irregularities in pathway and drainage tenders worth a staggering Rs.19.77 crore fund in Goregaon East. The funds, allocated under the BMC Development Fund 2023-2024, appear to have been systematically misappropriated through forged work orders, fake completion reports, and duplicated site photographs.

As per documents accessed by Mumbai Uncensored through RTI applications and internal sources:

A total of Rs.9.98 crore was sanctioned for Ward No. 51, and Rs. 9.77 crore for Ward No. 54.

On 7 March 2024, A/E Maintenance officer Nishadh Kulkarni proposed to execute these works.

All 52 work orders (28 in Ward 51 and 24 in Ward 54) were issued on 15 March 2024, with political leaders publicly performing symbolic ‘coconut breaking’ ceremonies on the same day.

Shockingly, completion reports and bill payments were filed on 31 March 2024 itself, coinciding with the financial year-end and deadline for fund utilization.

The scam surfaced when MP Ravindra Waikar visited Kakichi Chawl, Ram Nagar, Goregaon East on 28 April 2025 to inaugurate a pathway and drainage project — ironically one that was officially shown completed more than a year ago.

A subsequent ground survey of all 52 claimed project sites by our investigation team revealed multiple irregularities: 19 suspicious files were identified where the same site photographs were reused across different tender files.

In some instances, images from unrelated locations like Motilal Nagar, Goregaon West and Bandrekar Wadi, Jogeshwari East were fraudulently used to certify completion of Goregaon East projects.

This brazen misuse of public funds raises serious questions about the role of BMC officials, contractors, and local political leaders in enabling this scam.

Companies Allotted Contracts in This Alleged Scam

The following companies have been allotted contracts for the pathway and drainage works:

• Durgesh Construction – Prakash Kumar Purohit
• V-Tech Corporation – Urvish Ashok Kumar Shah
• Kamal Construction – Mahendra Kumar Chaggaram
• Suraj Corporation – Suraj Kumar
• Saroop Trading – Prabhat Singh Deora
• Neeta Enterprises – Tolaram Bhikaram Choudhary
• HM Enterprises – Mahesh Kumar Purohit
• RK Infra Projects – Krunal Shah

A thorough scrutiny must be undertaken against these firms as part of the investigation. The responsible BMC officials should be suspended immediately until the probe concludes, FIRs must be lodged against all those found guilty, and the above-mentioned contractors must be blacklisted from all government departments after the investigation, if found guilty.

Mumbai Uncensored will continue to pursue this matter and demand strict accountability for those involved in siphoning off taxpayer money under the guise of development work.

Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored:

In a significant development prompted by a letter from Mumbai Uncensored dated April 5th to the BMC, the municipal body has demolished Illegal Constructions in Versova. The BMC has also suspended Somesh Shinde, an Assistant-engineer from the K West ward, for neglecting illegal and unauthorized constructions under his jurisdiction in Andheri West, particularly in the CRZ areas of Versova. Despite multiple complaints, Somesh Shinde failed to take appropriate action against these violations.

An additional blow to Somesh Shinde’s professional conduct was his absence from a crucial meeting with municipal commissioner Bhushan Gagrani on June 5. For this absence, he has been issued a show-cause notice and given two days to respond.

Further compounding his suspension, on June 3, Somesh Shinde was instructed to prepare for the demolition of three unoccupied buildings in Versova, including arranging manpower and logistics. However, he neglected these duties. On the day of the demolitions, while senior officials stood in the sun overseeing the operations, Shinde was found sitting in a private air-conditioned car and left before the demolition was complete.

The suspension order also accuses Somesh Shinde of chronic absenteeism, not reporting to the office, and manipulating his attendance records by punching in outside of the workplace. A departmental inquiry is underway, and his suspension will remain in effect until its conclusion.

In related actions, Swapnil Kolekar, Executive Engineer of the K West ward, has been transferred to another department. Meanwhile, a dedicated team has been formed to identify unauthorized constructions in the CRZ areas of Versova and prepare for their demolitions.

The news of demolition of illegal constructions follows a letter submitted by Mumbai Uncensored to the BMC on April 5th, highlighting the ongoing issues and urging for stringent action against the negligence of duties by municipal officials.

Siddhant Mohite, Mumbai Uncensored, 7th December 2023:

Mumbai Uncensored has unearthed a shocking case of corruption involving high-ranking officials in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The scandal, exposed by social worker Mr. Rameez Raja, reveals a systematic embezzlement of funds intended for laborers engaged in the Swachhata Yojna, Motor Loading, Manning & Mopping Scheme.

In 2007, BMC initiated these schemes, employing laborers through registered NGOs. Alarming details emerged regarding their paltry daily wages, which ranged from Rs. 141 in early 2007 to a marginal increase of Rs. 144 to Rs. 146 in 2008. Concerns over unjust wages prompted BMC’s standing committee to pass resolutions in 2010 and 2011, specifying minimum wages for laborers through circulars dated 30.4.2011 and 2.9.2021.

However, Mumbai Uncensored’s investigation reveals a nefarious plot within the BMC’s Western Suburbs (Zone 3). SWM Executive Engineer Mr. Chandan Shive, along with a network of SWM officials, allegedly manipulated funds. Instead of ensuring fair compensation to NGOs and, consequently, laborers, these officials diverted a substantial portion—estimated between 20-22 crores—for personal gain.

Trusted sources affirm that Mr. Rameez Raja, a vigilant social worker, has sent a detailed letter to the Chief Minister outlining the corruption. Raja emphasizes the urgent need for a thorough investigation and the suspension of implicated BMC officials. The funds, he insists, rightfully belong to the laborers who toiled diligently to maintain the city’s cleanliness.

Mumbai Uncensored has obtained a copy of a letter from Mr. Hemant Sawant, additional deputy commissioner of the Anti-Corruption Department, Mumbai. Addressed to BMC Commissioner Mr. Iqbal Singh Chahal, the letter lists multiple complaints received from citizens, the Maharashtra Government, and the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Bureau. Despite these grave allegations, no visible actions have been taken by the BMC.

This revelation raises serious questions about the integrity of BMC officials and their commitment to addressing corruption within their ranks. Mumbai Uncensored will continue to investigate and report on this matter to ensure accountability and justice for the laborers who deserve their rightful compensation.