Exclusive: ₹100 Crore Scam Alleged in Mumbai's Stalled Sion SRA Housing Project; BJP Corporator's Husband Named
An exclusive investigation by senior journalist Unmesh Gujarathi has uncovered alleged corruption worth over ₹100 crore in Mumbai’s Sion-Chunabhatti SRA housing project. Based on RTI documents, the probe reveals that a builder was appointed using forged signatures from a fake managing committee, leading to illegal inclusion of beneficiaries and demolition of hundreds of homes. Complaints have been filed with police, ED, and the Charity Commissioner, demanding an independent probe.
A shocking complaint has exposed alleged systemic corruption in a decades-old slum rehabilitation project in Sion, Mumbai, implicating officials and politicians. The Sion-Aakar SRA Co-operative Housing Society project, stalled since 1995, is at the centre of a purported ₹100 crore financial fraud. A written complaint has been filed with the Police, the Charity Commissioner, and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The complaint demands an immediate FIR and a probe by an independent agency like the ED or EOW. It alleges fake documents were created to illegally add beneficiaries, followed by the sale of tenements for massive profits. This investigation reveals the intricate details of the alleged scam that targeted a vital housing scheme for the urban poor.
A Project Stalled for Decades and Allegations of Fake Inclusions
The Sion-Aakar SRA project was initiated in 1995 under Appendix-2, identifying approximately 500 eligible slum dwellers. However, the project remained completely stalled for twenty years until 2015. The complaint alleges that significant local political interference began after this period. This interference reportedly led to a fraudulent manipulation of the official beneficiary list.
Officials are accused of fabricating documents to illegally include new names in Appendix-1 of the project. Through this method, between 100 to 150 new members were allegedly made eligible for homes. This manipulation formed the foundation for the subsequent large-scale financial exploitation. Each illegally acquired tenement became a valuable asset for sale.
The Lucrative Sale of Tenements and Accused Named in Complaint
The promise of eligibility was used as bait to extract large sums of money from original slum dwellers, the complaint states. Furthermore, many tenements meant for rehabilitation were allegedly sold on the open market. Each of these homes was sold for approximately ₹45 lakh, according to the allegations.
This systematic sale of multiple tenements is what pushed the estimated scale of the scam toward ₹100 crore. The scale indicates an organized operation rather than isolated acts. The profits generated from these sales represent a diversion of resources from public welfare to private gain.
Key individuals have been explicitly named in the complaint filed with authorities. They include Bhavesh Telange, Vaibhav Vora, and their associates. The complaint also names Rajesh Shirwadkar, who is the husband of BJP corporator Rajashree Shirwadkar. This brings a political dimension to the serious allegations.
Also Read: BJP Faces Revolt Over Family Tickets in Mumbai BMC Polls.
Specific Accusations of Property Grab and Fraudulent Headquarters
Bhavesh Telange is accused of seizing 20-25 tenements in the names of his family members, including Ketana and Baliram Telange. Some of these properties were later sold for personal profit, as per the allegations. Similarly, Vaibhav Vora and his relatives were allegedly made beneficiaries despite not being eligible.
The entire operation was reportedly run from a commercial office in Matunga, according to the complaint. Office No. 401 in Samruddhi Heights, Matunga, is named as the alleged headquarters of the fraud. The complainant asserts that a raid on this office would yield crucial forged documents and evidence. This provides a specific location for investigators to target.
The complainant, Atul Baban Bhise, has called for a swift and transparent investigation by a central agency. He has urged the ED, EOW, or another independent body to take up the case. The demand underscores a lack of faith in local mechanisms to address such serious, multi-layered allegations.
The Broader Context of Corruption and Demand for Accountability
This case emerges amidst a heightened focus on corruption and scams in Maharashtra involving public funds. It highlights the vulnerabilities in housing schemes designed for Mumbai's most vulnerable citizens. The SRA scheme's complexities are allegedly being exploited for large-scale financial fraud.
The call for an ED investigation mirrors actions in other high-profile cases where central agencies have stepped in. It reflects a growing trend of seeking external probes for allegations with local political links. The outcome will test the accountability mechanisms for urban development projects.
The Sprouts News Special Investigation Team (SIT) has reviewed the complaint detailing these grave allegations. The project remains a symbol of failed promises and alleged corruption. Authorities must now act decisively on the complaint to restore faith in the slum rehabilitation process.
