The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has registered FIRs
against 344 illegal structures in Navi Mumbai following a Bombay High
Court order to initiate criminal proceedings against builders and
developers responsible for illegal constructions encroachments.

The
NMMC had registered 95 cases from April 2016 to January 1, 2017, while
344 case were registered in just the last three months. Of these, 174
cases were registered in the last ten days with various police stations.
Deputy Municipal Commissioner (encroachment), NMMC, Amberish Patnigere,
said, “Cases were registered even in the previous year, but this time,
there is a clear rise in the number because of the High Court orders. We
will continue to register the FIRs when we do not get a response from
the respective party after we serve a notice,” Mr. Patnigere said.

The
FIRs were registered as per Sections 53 (power to require removal of
unauthorised development) and 54 (power to stop unauthorised
development) of the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act. “As per the
law, when we get to know of an illegal construction or encroachment, we
inspect the place and verify the illegality. Later, we serve those
responsible a notice as per which within 32 days, the party has to
present themselves. They have to pay the penalty and regularise the
structure if that is possible, or demolish the structure. If there is no
response, after 32 days, we can demolish the structure. Demolishing the
structure is one part, while registering the FIR is a procedure for the
criminal offence,” Mr. Patnigere said.

“After
the FIR, we arrest the respective people, and the offence being
bailable, they get bailed out. We file a charge sheet within 90 days,
after which the trial starts,” Senior Police Inspector Rajendra Galande
from the APMC Police Station said.

The highest number of cases are
against structures in Vashi ward, with 104 cases registered with the
Vashi and APMC police stations. This is followed by Nerul with 56 cases,
Ghansoli with 44 and and Airoli with 45 cases. Thirty cases have been
registered in Koparkhairne ward, 29 in Turbhe, and 36 in Belapur.

If
convicted, offenders will face imprisonment from one month to three
years, and a fine of Rs. 2,000 to Rs. 5,000. In case of a continuing
offence, they may face an additional daily fine up to Rs. 200.