The anti-corruption bureau has started an inquiry into the approvals granted to a construction project that is being built on a plot that was reserved for the plantation of trees. Incidentally, Amitabh Bachchan and his wife Jaya Bachchan have made investments in the property. Complainant Vikas Tripathi, a social worker has filed a case against four engineers from the building proposal department of BMC, Rakesh Wadhawan and Sarang Wadhawan of HDIL and Shobhit Rajan of Ecstasy Realty Ltd, along with unknown private and public servants. Mr Tripathi’s statement has been recorded by the ACB.
Confirming the inquiry, director general of police, ACB, Raj Khilnani said, “Yes, we are inquiring into the matter, but that is at a very preliminary stage.”
Earlier on January 29 this year, former IPS officer turned social activist Y.P. Singh had accused builders Ecstasy Realty Ltd and HDIL Ltd. for flouting norms in their development plan of the project. He further alleged that this was done in connivance with engineers and the building proposal department of the BMC. He also accused the Bachchan family for giving loans to the promoter of the firm without checking the credentials of the project.
Mr Rajan, however, has already denied violating any norms and clarified that the loans given by the Bachchan family were for buying apartments in his project and hence there was nothing illegal. Mr Singh has alleged that the inquiry into the matter is not proceeding at the stipulated pace as the Bachchan family has a stake in the project.