Sena UBT leader Anil Parab’s ‘aide’ Kadam demolishes ‘illegal’ part of Dapoli resort

In the presence of regional officers of Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB), Kadam started getting the structure on the third floor demolished, officers from the MPCB and local administration confirmed.

Kadam has to dispose off the debris left after the demolition as per the rules and procedures of MPCB.

BJP leader Kirit Somaiya, who has first made a complaint in the “illegal” resort matter, Wednesday shared a 33-seconds video of the demolition work being carried out at the Sai Resort, on X.

Somaiya posted, “Criminal proceedings are on against Anil Parab and Sadanand Kadam against the unauthorized construction of Sai Resort, both are currently on bail.”

Kadam, through his lawyer Saket Mone, in March had informed the Bombay High Court that his client would get the excess and un-authorised portion of the resort, which is in violation of the order dated September 12, 2017 passed by the Sub-Divisional Officer, Dapoli Division, Dapoli, demolished at his own expense.

The court had accepted Kadam’s undertaking and directed him to demolish portion in excess of permission by April 15, 2024.

The court was hearing a petition filed by Kadam who had opposed the demolition notice issued by the additional collector on December 6, 2023.

On January 12, 2024, Kadam’s lawyer had also argued that the action taken against Kadam was mala fide and that several illegal structures constructed in violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification exist.

Justice Madhav J Jamdar of the HC had on March 18 observed prima facie substance in Kadam’s contention of state’s action being malafide. “However, if the resort in question is found in violation of the CRZ Notification or directions and the relevant rules, regulations and permissions then the same cannot be allowed to stand,” the bench had noted and had accepted Kadam’s undertaking.

The HC, however, had continued till April 17 the ad-interim relief with respect to part of the resort which is not violating 2017 permission.

The resort

It has been alleged that the previous owner of the (Dapoli) property in 2017 was granted permission to construct ground plus one floor structure on the said piece of land. But, Kadam, an alleged frontman for Parab, allegedly constructed more floors without due permission.

It was also alleged that the entire plot on which the resort was constructed was in CRZ-III zone, which is a no-development zone, and no permission was secured from the concerned department or Ministry.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had on March 10 last year arrested Kadam while probing alleged money laundering connected to the Sai Resort.

The ED’s case was originally against Parab. The Supreme Court in February this year granted bail to Kadam in the ED case.

The ED initiated a probe based on a complaint filed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change against Parab, Sai Resort, Sea Conch Resort and others before the judicial magistrate in Dapoli for violation of provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986.

Following registration of case, the agency raided several locations linked to Parab and people close to him.

The ED alleges that Parab intended to purchase land in Ratnagiri and approached his close aide Kadam in 2017.

An FIR registered in this regard at the Dapoli police station for allegedly deceiving and causing loss to the Maharashtra government. The ED, which filed its case based on state police FIR, had sought to intervene in the petition filed by Parab seeking quashing of Maharashtra Police FIR.

The ED claims that a piece of land identified for the construction of a twin bungalow was found to be in a no-development zone. However, there was said to be a mutual understanding between Kadam and Parab that the former would manage the work of getting permission from authorities for the construction.