More transit-camp scams tumble out

MUMBAI, July 14: After the handshakes and plaudits at the Gruha Nirman Bhavan, the Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority MHADA mus...

MUMBAI, July 14: After the handshakes and plaudits at the Gruha Nirman Bhavan, the Maharashtra Housing and Development Authority MHADA must face up to an uncomfortable truth: the conman Ayub, nabbed for illegally leasing out 62 MHADA transit tenements, was only one player in a successful housing racket, whose script has been co-authored by MHADA officials themselves.

The MHADA is now scouring the city for one Jayanti, another Bandra-based dalal. Jayanti, herself a resident of a transit camp at Bandra E, supports her family by earning money this way. Madhu Chavan, chairperson of Mumbai Repair and Reconstruction Board MRRB said Jayanti has let out 13 transit tenements for vast sums. The MHADA is looking into her case, added Chavan, rattling off other names whose hands are in the till: Munna and Loke from Vikhroli, Noora Sheikh, Aslam and advocate Shappa Sheikh. While Munna, Aslam and Noora are still 8220;wanted8221; the others were arrested last year.

But arresting them may be of little help, admitted MHADAsources, as they are soon let off on bail, and the racket continues its profit run with the connivance of MHADA officials. Chavan himself admitted that his staff was involved in all illegal deals, but added that since he took over as chairperson two years ago, four officers, seven clerical staff and two supervisors have been arrested.

The conmen8217;s modus operandi hardly differs from racket to racket, said Chavan. MHADA officials fudge records to show vacant transit tenements as occupied. These occupied8217; tenements are passed on to the dalals, who contact residents of old and dilapidated buildings. After obtaining vacating orders for these residents from MHADA, the conmen then allot them a transit tenement. Often, the resident of an old building is privy to the deal and may earn his cut.8217;

Ayub Zaffar, residing at chawl number 37, Bandra east transit camp, paid Jayanti Rs 30,000 for the tenement he has occupied for the last two years. However, MHADA officials have been illegally leasing this tenement outin the name of one Abdul Gaffar Usman, who continues to reside at building number 248-250, Ibrahim Rahimutullah Road, south Mumbai. Abdul8217;s cut8217;? Rs 10,000.F Ayub, though, continued to pay the rent in Abdul8217;s name, and R B Gangad, MHADA rent collector, dutifully affixed his signature to the rent receipt. Haseena is also alleged to be an illegal resident. She has been staying at the camp for six months now, but claimed 8220;The room is in my uncle8217;s name.8221; Ayub said Jayanti has tutored all her clients8217; to say just that. Jayanti, whom he said he approached again for help, has reportedly assured him that if he pays her Rs 5,00 more, she will set things up8217; for him for another 8220;six months.8221;