Alleged unauthorised water extraction from Chikhloli Dam in Ambernath has prompted demands for a high-level investigation into private tanker operations and industrial water supplies. Journalist Sudhir Sharad Gujar reportedly submitted complaints to multiple authorities on November 2, 2026, seeking scrutiny of extraction permissions, GST records and regulatory compliance. An earlier MIDC RTI response reportedly found no permission records for external tanker water supply to Cloud 9 Beverages. A separate inquiry into Bisleri's water sourcing has also been requested, although no violation by either company has been established.
Major Water Theft Exposed at Chikhloli Dam? Alleged Tanker Mafia Network Under Scrutiny; Demand for High-Level Probe into Cloud 9 Beverages and Bisleri Water Supply Operations
MIDC RTI reply raises serious questions; Sudhir Gujar approaches Tukaram Mundhe seeking intervention and cancellation of FSSAI licences – demands probe into GST transactions, water extraction permissions and the role of officials
Serious questions have emerged over the alleged unauthorised extraction of water from Chikhloli Dam in Ambernath, Maharashtra, the alleged supply of water to industrial companies through private tankers, possible financial transactions linked to the operation, and compliance with food safety regulations. The matter could now develop into a major administrative controversy.
Who has authorised the use of this public water resource? If water from the dam is being transported to industrial companies through private tankers, where are the official records? Are the financial transactions and GST records associated with this water supply transparent? Several serious questions have now come to the forefront.
Senior journalist and senior representative of Sprouts News, Sudhir Sharad Gujar, has demanded a high-level, multi-departmental investigation into the matter and strict action against anyone found responsible.
In this connection, on November 2, 2026, he reportedly sent a detailed complaint to various government authorities, including the Thane District Collector, police administration, Irrigation Department, MIDC, Food and Drug Administration, FSSAI, Central GST and Maharashtra State GST departments.
In particular, a complaint has also been submitted to senior Maharashtra administrative officer Tukaram Mundhe, seeking his intervention and a high-level inquiry into the matter.
MIDC's RTI Reply Raises Serious Questions
One of the most significant aspects of the matter is the response received from MIDC under the Right to Information Act, 2005.
Sudhir Gujar had filed an RTI application with MIDC on June 8, 2026. In its response dated June 19, 2026, the Sub-Engineer of Additional Ambernath MIDC reportedly stated that no official record was available indicating that MIDC had issued any permission or No Objection Certificate (NOC) to M/s Cloud 9 Beverages for bringing water from outside sources through private tankers.
The response also reportedly indicated that no order or certified record was available specifying the quantity of water the company was officially permitted to use from external sources.
Furthermore, MIDC had:
- Issued a notice to M/s Cloud 9 Beverages on June 2, 2026.
- Sent a reminder to the concerned company on June 5, 2026.
However, what response did the company submit to these notices? Did it clarify the official source of its water supply? Was an on-site inspection conducted? What action did the administration take thereafter? These questions remain to be answered.
Important clarification: The information available in the MIDC RTI response relates specifically to Cloud 9 Beverages. These findings cannot automatically be applied to Bisleri. An independent investigation into Bisleri's water sources, permissions and commercial transactions has also been sought.
Who Has Permission to Extract Water from Chikhloli Dam?
Chikhloli Dam is an important water source associated with public water resources. Commercial or industrial extraction of water from such a source requires valid permission from the competent Water Resources or Irrigation Authority, approved water allocation and compliance with prescribed conditions.
However, the complaint alleges the possibility that water may be extracted from the dam premises through private tankers and supplied to industrial companies. An on-site inspection and examination of relevant documents have been demanded to establish the facts.
This raises several questions for the administration:
- Who has been officially authorised to extract water from Chikhloli Dam?
- Is there a written order, NOC or approved water-allocation permission for the extraction?
- How much water is extracted every day, and which government office maintains the corresponding records?
- Have unauthorised pumps, motors, pipelines or suction systems been installed within the dam premises?
- Is there official permission to sell water from a public dam to commercial companies through private tankers?
- Is such activity affecting local residents' water supply or the availability of public water resources?
The complaint seeks answers to these questions through physical inspection, examination of government records and verification of water-allocation documents.
Alleged Tanker Mafia Network: Demand to Investigate the Entire Supply Chain
Investigating only the individuals extracting the water would not be sufficient in this matter. The entire water-supply chain, from the dam to the industrial companies, needs to be examined, Sudhir Gujar has stated in his complaint.
The roles of individuals extracting the water, tanker owners, drivers, water suppliers, intermediaries, brokers and companies purchasing the water should be separately established.
The investigation should cover the registration numbers of every tanker, vehicle owners, drivers, tanker capacities, number of trips per day, entry and exit records at the dam premises, and tanker-entry records at the concerned industrial establishments.
The complaint also seeks verification of the actual quantity of water supplied through tankers, the selling price of water, the amount collected per tanker, bills, receipts and all related financial transactions.
Independent Investigation into Water Supply to Cloud 9 Beverages and Bisleri Demanded
An independent investigation has been sought into the water-supply transactions associated with M/s Cloud 9 Beverages (M/s Lavadi Fabrica), located at Plot No. K-29 in Additional Ambernath MIDC, as well as those associated with Bisleri.
The following aspects relating to both companies have been identified for investigation:
- What is the original source of water used in production?
- Is the water obtained from MIDC, the municipal corporation, the Irrigation Department or private tankers?
- If private tankers are used, who are the suppliers?
- Do the concerned water suppliers possess valid permissions and NOCs?
- Are there written agreements between the companies and the water suppliers?
- Are bills and receipts regularly issued for water purchases?
- Do the companies maintain records of tanker-supplied water in their water-consumption registers?
- Are laboratory test reports available for the water used in production?
- How are water-purchase expenses reflected in the companies' financial records?
The complaint specifically demands that the transactions of the two companies be investigated independently, without treating them as one combined operation.
Demand for Cancellation of FSSAI Licences: Merely Issuing Notices Is Not Enough
Water used in the production of beverages is directly linked to consumer health. Therefore, the matter is also significant from a food safety perspective.
Sudhir Gujar has called upon the Food and Drug Administration and FSSAI to conduct physical inspections of the concerned production facilities.
Official samples of raw water, purified water and finished beverages should be collected and tested at recognised laboratories. Chemical, biological and microbiological parameters of the water should also be examined.
The complaint further seeks inspection of water-purification machinery, filtration systems, disinfection processes and quality-control records.
The following documents of the concerned companies should also be verified:
- FSSAI licences and licence numbers.
- Approved addresses of production facilities.
- Product categories and licence conditions.
- Water-quality certificates.
- Laboratory test reports.
- Quality-control registers.
- Production and distribution records.
Sudhir Gujar has clearly demanded that if serious violations of food safety standards, use of harmful water or breaches of licence conditions are established during the investigation, the matter should not be left pending merely after a temporary suspension. After completing the due legal process, the FSSAI licences of the concerned production facilities should be cancelled.
If any risk to consumer health is established, the competent authority should take immediate action, in accordance with law, to prohibit the production, distribution and sale of the concerned products.
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GST Transactions Under Scrutiny: How Much Business Is Being Generated Through Water Sales?
The complaint states that if water is being supplied commercially, the financial transactions associated with the activity must also be investigated.
The Central GST and Maharashtra State GST departments have been requested to examine the following:
- Are the water suppliers registered under GST?
- Are official GST invoices being issued for water sales?
- Are the relevant transactions being disclosed in GST returns?
- Do the accounting records of the water-purchasing companies match the sales records of the suppliers?
- Have actual tanker deliveries been reconciled with GST invoices and e-way bills, wherever applicable?
- Is there evidence of fake billing, incorrect purchase and sales records, or wrongful availment of Input Tax Credit (ITC)?
- What is the total financial turnover generated through the entire water-supply business?
If evidence of GST violations or tax evasion is found, action against the concerned persons has been demanded under the CGST Act, 2017 and the applicable Maharashtra GST law.
Demand for Criminal Action Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023
The complaint also seeks action under the relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
- Section 303 – Theft: If evidence establishes dishonest extraction of water from a public water source without the required authorisation.
- Section 61 – Criminal Conspiracy: If collusion in the extraction, transportation and sale of water is established.
- Section 324 – Mischief: If the legal elements relating to damage to public water resources are established.
- Section 223 – Disobedience to an order duly promulgated by a public servant: If deliberate violation of a lawful order is established.
- Sections 274 and 275 – Adulteration of food or drink and sale of noxious food or drink: If the essential elements of the relevant offences are established during the investigation.
However, the applicability of any provision must be determined only after the investigation establishes the necessary legal ingredients and supporting evidence.
Demand to Preserve CCTV Footage and Financial Records Before Evidence Is Lost
To prevent the destruction of important evidence and ensure that CCTV footage is not automatically deleted, the complainant has demanded the immediate preservation of relevant records.
These include CCTV footage from the Chikhloli Dam premises, tanker entry and exit registers, pumping records, tanker registration numbers, CCTV footage at the entrances of the concerned companies, water purchase and sale invoices, company water-consumption registers, agreements with suppliers, MIDC notices and company replies, FSSAI inspection reports, laboratory reports, GST invoices and related financial records.
The complaint also seeks verification of available tanker-transportation records for the preceding six months and information about tanker entries into the concerned companies' premises.
Demand for a Joint High-Level Investigation Team
Since the matter involves the jurisdiction of several government departments, Sudhir Gujar has demanded the formation of a joint high-level investigation team under the coordination of the Thane District Collector.
The proposed team should include competent officers from:
- District Collector's Office.
- Police Administration.
- Irrigation and Water Resources Department.
- MIDC.
- Food and Drug Administration.
- FSSAI.
- Central GST Department.
- Maharashtra State GST Department.
The team should conduct a physical inspection of the entire water-supply chain connecting Chikhloli Dam with the concerned industrial companies. It should verify permissions, the quantity of water extracted, water quality, financial transactions and statements of the persons involved, and prepare a joint investigation report.
Attention on Tukaram Mundhe's Intervention: What Action Will the Administration Take?
According to the complainant, the possible unauthorised use of public water resources, transparency in industrial water supply, food safety and GST transactions are interconnected issues. Therefore, an investigation by only one department would not be sufficient.
Accordingly, intervention by senior administrative officer Tukaram Mundhe has been sought, along with coordinated action through the concerned departments.
Several questions now await answers: What action did MIDC take after issuing the earlier notices? What official information does the Irrigation Department have regarding water extraction? Will the Food and Drug Administration inspect the concerned production facilities? Will the GST Department investigate the financial transactions?
Public attention is now focused on the response of the concerned authorities.
Sudhir Gujar's Question: Whose Resource Is Public Water?
Through this complaint, Sudhir Gujar has raised the issue of protecting public water resources. He maintains that dam water is a public resource and that no individual or company should use it commercially in violation of applicable rules.
There must be complete transparency regarding water-extraction permissions, the source of water supply, financial transactions and the quality of products manufactured using that water.
He has urged the administration not merely to announce an investigation, but to conduct physical inspections, collect evidence, arrange independent laboratory testing, examine relevant financial records and provide a written action-taken report.
The biggest question now is: On the basis of which official permission is water from Chikhloli Dam being used? Why has clarity not emerged regarding these transactions even after the MIDC RTI response? And what action will the concerned government departments actually take on this complaint?
The answers to these questions will become clear only after an official investigation by the administration.
