A determined civic official is closing in on an allegedly illegal bungalow belonging to actor and Congress MP Govinda on Madh Island, an idyllic vacation spot on Mumbai’s lush north-western edge. Bollywood star Govind Ahuja, to use his real name, has been served a fortnight’s notice by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) asking him to submit all documents on his 2,485-sq ft seafront bungalow here. Govinda’s bungalow is the latest in the BMC crackdown on over 30 such buildings on Madh. And, leading the drive is Assistant Municipal Commissioner Kishor Kshirsagar, a man who has shunned the limelight in his battle against the rich and famous. On September 3, Bollywood producer Salim Akhtar’s bungalow was pulled down. In June, the bungalows of singer Alka Yagnik and producer Barka Roy (sister of actor Reena Roy) were demolished. Now it’s Govinda’s turn. Reconstructed six years ago, the white-washed, palm-fringed building falls in a no-development zone, apart from violating the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) notification of 1991, which prohibits construction within 500 metres of the high-tide line, officials say. ‘‘We have asked for the bungalow’s documents and are looking into the matter,’’ confirmed BMC Commissioner Johny Joseph. When contacted, Govinda told The Indian Express that he was aware his bungalow is situated in a CRZ zone. ‘‘But I have done only repair work. If the BMC feels it is illegal, they can take a look at it and take necessary action,’’ he said. Meanwhile, pressure has been mounting on Kshirsagar and his men to turn down the heat. His unit has already been dragged to court in many cases: the three demolitions this year were carried out only after torturous court proceedings finally turned in the BMC’s favour. According to a top BMC source, one of the callers trying to head off action against Govinda earlier this month was fellow UP migrant and Maharashtra Home Minister Kripashankar Singh. ‘‘When the minister learned that BMC officials were considering serving notice on Govinda’s bungalow, he made persistent calls to stop the process,’’ the source said. But Singh denies making any calls. ‘‘I’ve not seen the bungalow. Govinda is an MP and if he needs to stall anything, he can do it himself. Why would be need me?’’ he asked. Following an Express report on Govinda’s bungalow on September 5, the issue was also discussed at a Ward Council meeting last week. ‘‘We have asked the administration for details of the bungalow and how permission was given to reconstruct a house in a no-development and CRZ zone,’’ said Yogesh Sagar, corporator from Kandivli, who was present at he meeting. Meanwhile, other high-profile bungalow owners in Madh are still fighting the BMC in court—one of them is actor Shakti Kapoor, who was served a notice in 2002. Kapoor argues he isn’t at fault. ‘‘I purchased a readymade bungalow, which has been there for more than 15 years,’’ he said. ‘‘So how can it be illegal?
