This article delves into the inspiring story of Kamlakar Shenoy, a Mumbai-based activist and hotel owner who has fought tirelessly to expose a massive housing scam worth billions of dollars and bring those responsible to justice.
Kamlakar Shenoy, a Mumbai activist, uncovered a housing scam worth billions of dollars involving builders and political parties. Despite facing obstacles and resistance, Shenoy has continued to fight for justice and expose the corruption.
1. Introduction
Kamlakar Shenoy is a 65-year-old activist and hotel owner in Mumbai who was duped in a property deal. This experience prompted him to investigate a scam involving at least Rs 40,000 crore (approximately $5.4 billion), in which builders were given an additional floor space index (FSI) by the state government as an incentive to redevelop old buildings.
The builders were supposed to rehabilitate the old tenants in the newly reconstructed buildings and give a certain ratio of flats to the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) but instead sold the flats in the open market, depriving MHADA of revenue. The involvement of political parties in the scam has made it a sensitive issue.
2. How the Scam Was Discovered
Shenoy’s personal experience with a developer led him to investigate the issue of builders not surrendering the surplus area of redeveloped properties to MHADA. He encountered difficulty in obtaining information from MHADA officials, who were non-cooperative due to their own potential exposure in the scam. Shenoy calculated the estimated size of the scam based on the amount of surplus area that should have been surrendered to MHADA, and the market value of that area.
3. The Players Involved
There are around 172 builders involved in the scam, according to a list provided by MHADA. However, only 29 of them have had FIRs filed against them. The scam also involved bureaucrats and engineers from MHADA and the Repair Board, as well as political patronage. The state government has attempted to regularize the situation by asking the builders to compensate the government at ready reckoner rates, but Shenoy objects to this approach as it does not reflect the actual market value of the flats.
4. Shenoy’s Fight for Justice
Shenoy has taken legal action in an effort to get FIRs filed against those involved in the scam. The government and courts have not always been supportive of Shenoy’s efforts. Shenoy objects to the government’s plan to compensate builders at ready reckoner rates, arguing that they should not be favored for cheating the government and that the actual market value of the flats should be used.
5. Conclusion
The article summarizes the main points of the scam, including the estimated size, the involvement of builders and political parties, and Shenoy’s efforts to hold those responsible accountable. The implications of the scam and the ongoing efforts to address it are discussed, along with the importance of transparency and accountability in the real estate industry.
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