Powai, Mumbai - land which had been reserved for a new housing initiative became the centre of a scam investigation following allegations it had been built on illegally. The 344 acre plot sat empty, ahead of preparation work that was due to mark the start of a mass housing project, helping to provide homes to thousands of Mumbai residents.
For reasons unknown, the Government of Maharashtra made a surprising decision to return the land to previous landowner, at the reduced price of Re. 1 per hectare. Power of Attorney at that time was Hiranandani boss, Niranjan Hiranandani - one of the wealthiest men in India.
Maharashtra Police stepped in to review the allegations that Niranjan Hiranandani and IAS officer Thomas Benjamin had claimed back the land as part of a scam, reportedly worth over Rs. 30,000 crore (approximately $5 billion USD). Once returned to his ownership, Hiranandani is reported to have illegally built a new Hiranandani complex, openly disregarding the conditions of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, under which he claimed back the 344 acre plot. The land is reportedly worth Rs. 45,000 crore, considerably more than what Mr Hiranandani paid for it.
Following initial investigations the Anti-Corruption Bureau filed a First Information Report (FIR) against Hiranandani and Benjamin. This report was served under the allegation that Niranjan Hiranandani was in breach of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, and the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act, 1966. According to reports, Hiranandani was able to built his complex on the site, despite it being against the terms of the Urban Land (Ceiling and Regulation) Act, 1976, due to criminal conspiracy with various Civil Servants, who together pushed forward a deceitful promotion of the weaker sections of the act in an attempt to mask the more prominent sections which made his construction illegal. Hiranandani holds a key role within various Indian government bodies, private and social institutions, schools, and colleges; it is alleged he threaten to withdraw his support from these areas in a bid to blackmail the Civil Servants into agreeing to take part in the scam.
The initial housing project, had it gone ahead, would have meant homes built for thousands of Powai families. It is speculated that the reason for Niranjan Hiranandani demanding back the land was to prevent competition for his own housing development, Hiranandani Gardens.
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