POWAI HSG PROJECT FIR registered against bldr, babu

Mumbai: The state Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) on Thursday registered an FIR against developer Niranjan Hiranandani and additional chief secretary T Benjamin in connection with alleged irregularities in the Powai housing project. 

    On Monday, a sessions court directed the ACB to probe the matter after activist Santosh Daundkar filed an application against Hiranandani over the alleged irregularities. DCP (ACB) S Suryavanshi 
confirmed the news but refused to elaborate. He said the ACB registered the FIR based on the petitioner's allegations and a probe would be conducted accordingly. 
    According to the FIR, Hiranandani allegedly flouted an agreement signed between the MMRDA, the state and the developer. In 1977, the state had announced the Powai Housing Development Scheme for economically weaker sections to be implemented in the villages of Powai, Kopri and Tirandaz. In 1986, the state signed a deal with Hiranandani and handed over 230 acres at Re 1 per hectare for the land acquired. In return, the developer was to build affordable flats for the poor. 
    Daundkar alleged that a probe in 2009 revealed that of the 5.74 lakh sq m of built-up area sanctioned, the developer used only 76,120 sq m. The rest was converted into luxury flats and sold at Rs 8,000-15,000 per sq ft.