Forest dept seeks police action against real estate developers into CIDCO land scam

The letters mentioned that family members ‘fraudulently took financial benefits from forest and government lands and ensured land parcels in return for its acquisition.’ “In this case, Biwalkar family and above mentioned real estate developers (Dineshkumar Pasoria, Yogesh Thakkar, Ramesh Gami, Mahesh Gami from M/s DPVG Buildcon llp; Vipula Karaniya, Hirji Karotra, Vipul Karotra, Bhavesh Chaudhari, Ramesh Ravaria for M/s Saras realty) has misguided the government in taking financial share leading to financial irregularities and cheating government,” said the letter dated October 20. The letter has recommended cases under Section 318 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 316 (cheating), 363 (forgery), 367 (using as genuine a forged document), 62 (2) (criminal conspiracy), 3(5) (common intention) of the Bharatiya Nyay Sanhita.

The move has reignited Opposition allegations that Shirsat, as CIDCO chairman, cleared a file granting 61,000sq metre of land valued at around Rs 5,000 crore to the Bivalkar family under CIDCO’s 12.5 per cent land compensation scheme, despite the proposal being rejected several times earlier.

NCP (SP) MLA Rohit Pawar, who first raised the issue, said the forest department’s letters confirm the scam. “Now that evidence has come from the government’s own department, Shirsat must resign immediately. Will the Chief Minister still protect him?” he asked.

According to Pawar, the Bivalkar family was awarded more than 4,000 acres of land for helping the British against the Maratha empire in 15 villages of present day Roha, Panvel, Alibaug and Uran tehsils. “By claiming it as a personal gift, the lands were first saved from Bombay Personal Inams Abolition Act, 1952, and later, prior to land ceiling act in 1961, registering lands as reserved forest. However, in 1975, the Maharashtra Private Forest Acquisition Act came, in which their entire land went to the government. In 1985, the Bivalkar family objected to the Private Forest Acquisition Act which the Collector rejected in 1989. In 1990, they went to the High Court. In 2010, another appeal was filed, which was clubbed. In October 2014, the High Court ruled in favor of the Bivalkar family. After coming to know about it in 2015, the government appealed in the Supreme Court and the order was stayed,” Pawar said.

Following the scheme for Project Affected Persons (PAPs) of CIDCO, the family applied in 1993 for benefits under the 12.5 percent scheme as 150 acres of land with the Collector and court of wards was acquired by CIDCO. CIDCO subsequently rejected this application in 1994, 1995, 2010 and 2023. “Despite CIDCO reports against giving 12.5 per cent land to the family, Sanjay Shirsath cleared the file in his first meeting as CIDCO chairman, whereby giving 61,000 square metre land with market value of Rs 5000 crore and a tripartite agreement on 8,000 square meter land has already been signed,” Pawar had alleged.

Shirsat, however, dismissed the charges. “CIDCO has already explained its position. Those making allegations are trying to blackmail to grab land,” he said, adding that any evidence should be submitted to CIDCO.