Exclusive: The Inside Story of BJP’s Controversial Mumbai HQ Land Deal
• A Lapsed Legacy: The 99-Year Lease and the Vasanji Family Dispute
• Mortgaged in Controversy: How the Prime Plot Was Pledged to Banks
• Years in Limbo: The Legal Stalemate That Frozen The Marine Lines Plot
A Sprouts News Special Investigation led by Editor-in-Chief Unmesh Gujarathi exposes the controversial land deal behind the BJP’s new Mumbai headquarters. A prime Marine Lines plot, long entangled in legal and financial disputes, was allegedly fast-tracked via Eknath Realtors in record time. The BMC-approved transfer, completed just before Amit Shah’s visit, bypassed years of pending litigation involving the Vasanji family and mortgage claims on the property.
- Exclusive: The Inside Story of BJP’s Controversial Mumbai HQ Land Deal
- • A Lapsed Legacy: The 99-Year Lease and the Vasanji Family Dispute
- • Mortgaged in Controversy: How the Prime Plot Was Pledged to Banks
- • Years in Limbo: The Legal Stalemate That Frozen The Marine Lines Plot
- Exclusive: BJP’s New Mumbai HQ Land Deal Fast-Tracked by BMC in Record Time
- A Legacy of Lapsed Leases and Financial Entanglements
- The Eknath Realtors Intervention: A Lightning-Fast Approval Chain
- Sealed and Delivered: A New Political Address for Mumbai
Exclusive: BJP’s New Mumbai HQ Land Deal Fast-Tracked by BMC in Record Time
A Sprouts News Special Investigation uncovers how a prime Marine Lines plot, mired in legal and financial disputes, was transferred to the BJP via Eknath Realtors in a matter of weeks, just before Amit Shah’s inauguration.
In a remarkably swift administrative move, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) approved the transfer of a prime Marine Lines plot for the BJP’s new state headquarters. The entire process, facilitated by Eknath Realtors, was completed in record time ahead of Home Minister Amit Shah’s scheduled inauguration. This Sprouts News Special Investigation traces the controversial deal’s accelerated timeline.
The plot, located near Nariman Point’s Nirmal Niketan, was previously reserved for residential purposes. Its lease had expired decades ago and was entangled in legal disputes. The BJP, seeking to replace its cramped Nariman Point office, zeroed in on this coveted address, initiating a rapid transfer process.
A Legacy of Lapsed Leases and Financial Entanglements
The 1377.79 sq. meter plot’s ownership was historically divided. Fifty-four percent was with the Maharashtra State Cooperative Finance Corporation. The remaining forty-six percent was with the Vasanji family. Its 99-year lease officially lapsed on 12th February 2001.
The Vasanji family had transferred their leasehold rights to four investor companies. Crucially, these companies mortgaged the asset to various banks without mandatory BMC permission. This triggered a default, allowing banks to seize portions of the disputed property.
A BMC hearing on 29th December 2017 confirmed the leasehold rights were contested. The plot’s status remained in limbo for years, caught between the Vasanji heirs, investor companies, and creditor banks. This complex legal stalemate persisted until a sudden resolution emerged in 2025.
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The Eknath Realtors Intervention: A Lightning-Fast Approval Chain
Eknath Realtors entered the scene, swiftly navigating the bureaucratic maze. The firm applied to the BMC’s Estate Department on 1st April 2025 to transfer the mortgaged 46% share. Astonishingly, approval was granted just three days later on 4th April 2025.
Simultaneously, Eknath Realtors sought the lease for the remaining 54% share held by the finance corporation. This application also received immediate approval from the municipal authorities, clearing the final hurdle.
The firm paid a transfer premium of ₹21.25 crore to the BMC to secure complete control of the land. The very next month, on 21st May 2025, Eknath Realtors proposed transferring the entire plot to the BJP. The Deputy Municipal Commissioner approved this request the very next day.
Sealed and Delivered: A New Political Address for Mumbai
The leasehold rights were fully transferred to the BJP on 31st May 2025. The party subsequently paid a fee of ₹8.91 crore to the BMC to formalise the deal. This concluded a transfer process that spanned just a few weeks for key approvals.
This timeline ensured the land was secured well before the grand inauguration. Home Minister Amit Shah is scheduled to perform the Bhumi Pujan for the new state headquarters today. The event solidifies the BJP’s foothold in South Mumbai’s prime real estate.
The deal raises questions about the preferential treatment of a political party. Using a plot originally reserved for public housing for a political headquarters is a significant change. The speed of approvals bypassing standard procedures demands greater transparency.
The BJP’s new Marine Lines headquarters symbolizes its expanding influence in Maharashtra. However, the accelerated land transfer from a dormant, disputed asset to a political powerhouse warrants a deeper probe. Stakeholders await official clarification on the deal’s propriety.
