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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Six killed, 5 injured as passenger vehicle hits truck in Odisha
Sundargarh (Odisha) (PTI): Six people were killed and five others injured after a vehicle in which they were travelling rammed into a truck in Odisha's Sundargarh district early on Saturday, police said.
The accident occurred near Gaikanapali area under the Hemgiri Police Station limits when the passenger-carrying van hit the truck from behind, a senior officer said.
"Six members of a 'kirtan' group died on the spot, and five others were injured. Maybe, the accident occurred due to fog in the area," he said.
The 'kirtan' party went to Chakkplai village for a programme on the occasion of Diwali, and the accident took place when they were returning to their villages.
The deceased people belonged to Kandagoda and Samarpinda villages in the district.
The injured persons were admitted to a local hospital, the officer said.
Local people blocked the road, demanding ex gratia for the victims' families.
