Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi's illegal seaside bungalows in Raigad to be razed
Mumbai, Aug 21 : At least 160 illegal bungalows belonging to top celebs, including absconding diamantaire Nirav Modi and his uncle Mehul Choksi on Raigad sea coasts, will be demolished for alleged violations of norms, Maharashtra Environment Minister Ramdas Kadam said on Tuesday.
He issued the directions after chairing a review meeting of the illegal constructions dotting various picturesque beaches in Raigad district.
"There are around 151 illegal bungalows on or near the beaches in the Murud stretch and another 121 in Alibaug, violating Coastal Regulation Zone rules, not adhering to sanctioned plans and other regulations," Kadam said.
Of these, 111 bungalows, 61 in Alibaug and 50 in Murud -- both prime beach destinations -- belong to locals or fisherfolk, which would not be disturbed for the present, he added.
Many of the other outsider illegal occupants have secured stay from various courts on their bungalows, but the state government plans to transfer all these cases before the National Green Tribunal.
After the police verification of documents, the government is hopeful that the NGT will expeditiously clear them within the next 2-3 months, and the defaulters also face a fine of Rs 100,000 or a five-year jail term.
Besides Modi and Choksi, some other prominent owners of these lavish bungalows include industrialists, leading businessmen, film and television personalities and others.
The Raigad collectorate has informed that Modi's bungalow is in Kihim and Choksi's in Awas village and will be razed for violating Coastal Regulatory Zone norms.
Since their bungalows are attached by the Enforcement Directorate after their names came up in the Punjab National Bank (PNB) fraud in February, the collector has sought the ED's clearance for the demolition plans.
Recently, the Bombay High Court had pulled up the government over the delays in taking action against the illegal bungalows of Modi, Choksi and others.
A popular getaway destination, Raigad has been in the spotlight in recent years for a series of illegal constructions dotting its pristine beaches, coastal forests and lush green villages, just an hour's ride by catamaran from Gateway of India.
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Time will reveal if leadership change in Karnataka is imminent: Shivakumar
Hubballi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar on Tuesday said time will tell if the state will see a new CM after the by-elections to two assembly seats.
Bypolls for the Bagalkot and Davanagere South Assembly constituencies will be held on April 9. The polls were necessitated following the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, respectively.
"Why are you worried about it? There is no need to make it an issue... I have already said that time will answer it," Shivakumar told reporters in response to a question about whether he would become the CM and if there would be a leadership change after the bypolls.
Responding to statements by some leaders, including Minister Zameer Ahmed Khan, that incumbent Siddaramaiah will be CM till 2028, he said, "I'm not ready to comment on statements made by others. I'm the party president... either the CM or I will have to speak on this matter. Other than what the two of us say, the rest is immaterial."
Asked about the secret behind his patience, Shivakumar replied, "Time will answer."
Recently, Siddaramaiah had said that the Congress government will remain in power for two more years and that he is the Chief Minister of the state.
The leadership tussle within the ruling party has intensified amid speculation about a possible change of chief minister after the Congress government completed the halfway mark of its five-year term on November 20, 2025.
The speculation has been fuelled by the reported "power-sharing" arrangement between Siddaramaiah and Shivakumar at the time of government formation in 2023.
