Mira-Bhayandar: A major exposé following the Ostwal Builders construction scam has uncovered 50 illegally built structures in Mira-Bhayandar, raising serious questions about regulatory oversight. As per a report by the Mira-Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC), 29 multi-storey buildings and 21 row houses were constructed despite the cancellation of their Commencement Certificates (CCs).

The issue first came to light after Newsband published a detailed report on May 18, garnering attention. The investigation shows that several developers, despite having their CCs revoked, continued construction and even used these invalid certificates to register their projects with MahaRERA.

On March 30, 2019, MBMC granted revised CCs to Ravi Developers for a large township spanning multiple land parcels. However, complaints from landowners and legal heirs alleged that plans had been fraudulently approved on disputed properties. Acting on this, then MBMC Commissioner Balaji Khatgaonkar cancelled the CCs on June 17, 2019.

The developer appealed to the State Urban Development Department, and in September 2020, then Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde partially upheld the appeal, directing MBMC to approve revised plans excluding the disputed plots. Despite this, MBMC rejected multiple submissions from 2020 to 2023 due to non-compliance with statutory norms. Nevertheless, construction continued unabated.

MBMC’s Town Planning Department issued several stop-work notices on February 22, 2022, July 3, 2023, October 9, 2023, and January 1, 2025, and instructed zonal officers to intervene. Despite these directives, both developers and civic officials failed to act.

“Despite repeated notices, the developer continued illegal construction, and some officials also neglected their responsibilities. This is not just a case of regulatory failure, but also one of administrative complicity.,” said a senior MBMC official on the condition of anonymity. 

Adding to the controversy, several of the cancelled projects remain listed on MahaRERA’s official website.

“How can buyers trust MahaRERA if revoked certificates are still being used to list projects? This raises a red flag not just for the buyers but for the institution itself,” said a local activist familiar with the case.

In the absence of transparent and updated regulatory information, many unsuspecting buyers have reportedly invested in these illegal properties, making them vulnerable to legal complications and financial losses. Legal experts suggest affected homebuyers may have grounds to seek legal recourse.

MBMC has come under scrutiny and pressure from citizen groups and housing rights activists to take swift action, against erring developers and negligent civic officials.