Khairnar faces-off 18 underworld buildings

Besides these 18 buildings, a sub-list of 24 semi-residential cum commercial buildings has also been prepared. Khairnar said apart from these structures, particularly residentials have been converted from ground plus one into 3, 4 and 5 storeyed structures. Notices are being sent under due process. “These 42 buildings are among the 1087 buildings put up by the underworld before 1994. We have taken an official survey in which we have identified these buildings specifically,” said Khairnar.

Khairnar said after his suspension the files have been listlessly moving from one department of the BMC to the other without much progress.“The files were being shunted about. No action was taken after my suspension. The list was prepared but the excuse for not demolishing these structures was that they don’t have additional staff. The mafia collected their money and left,”said Khairnar.

Khairnar said that most of these buildings were targetted by him six years ago and are now complete and are even housing residents,“These were put up by underworld don Dawood Ibrahim and his associates. It may not be fair to target residents especially under humanitarian conditions. But from the hue and cry in the press they should have known before buying these structures. Some may resort to legal action or may even submit plans approved in the years gone by the Buildings and Proposals department,”said Khairnar alluding to a nexus between civic servants and building mafia.

Ward Officer Dr K N Kshirsagar when contacted said his office has conducted around 36 minor demolitions, including two major structures, so far and has sent notices to some 150 such structures already.“Structures which could not show authorised documents are presumed to be illegal. Although we may corelate them with anti-social elements, the names on my records do not contain their names. Definitely they will not put their names forward,”said Kshirsagar.

Even as Khairnar is on the verge of retirement he will continue as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) after May 31.“I had made it clear I would not continue if I was stripped off my powers. The civic administration has assured me that it will retain my powers enjoyed. As officer on special duty I have been empowered to pull up ward officers for dereliction of duty,”explained Khairnar.

Of the total 42 buildings cum premises, these are the first 18 all of which are commercial except two which are residential cum commercial.