Mumbai Builder Seeks Bail After SRA Fraud FIR

A developer of an SRA rehabilitation project in Mulund, Mumbai, has approached the Sessions Court seeking anticipatory bail after a criminal case was registered against him. Vijay Panchal, director of M/s Yashraj Corporation, is accused of handing over flats without obtaining an Occupancy Certificate (OC) and failing to transfer Project Affected Persons (PAP) flats to the Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA).

The case was registered by the Navghar Police on the complaint of Sachin Narayan Gaikwad, a Deputy Engineer with the Engineering Department of the SRA. The FIR invokes Section 53 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning (MRTP) Act, 1966, and alleges that the accused endangered the lives and property of occupants by permitting them to reside in the building without mandatory statutory approvals.

The Shivchandra SRA Co-operative Housing Society project, located at Gavhanpada in Mulund (East), has been developed on a 728.28-square metre plot. The scheme comprises a rehabilitation building and a sale component, both of which have been completed. However, during an inspection, the SRA found that residents had occupied the buildings despite the developer not obtaining an Occupancy Certificate.

The SRA also found that nine PAP flats had not been transferred to the SRA as required under the rehabilitation scheme. The developer was issued notices under Sections 53(1) and 53(6)(b) of the MRTP Act on April 1, 2026, and May 4, 2026, directing compliance. However, the alleged violations continued.

The FIR states that the developer allowed occupation of both the rehabilitation and sale components without securing the Occupancy Certificate, lift completion certificate, and other mandatory approvals. This posed a serious risk to residents' safety. The authorities contend that the accused cheated the Slum Rehabilitation Authority and violated the conditions governing the rehabilitation project by failing to transfer the PAP flats and instead allowing their unauthorised allotment and occupation.

The matter is scheduled to be heard on June 27. The case highlights the importance of ensuring that developers comply with statutory requirements and prioritize the safety of occupants. The SRA has been working to address issues related to unauthorized occupations and ensure that rehabilitation projects are completed in accordance with the rules and regulations.

The Mumbai Sessions Court will hear the anticipatory bail application and decide on the matter. The case has sparked concerns about the safety of residents in SRA projects and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations. The SRA and the police are investigating the matter, and further action is expected to be taken against the accused.

The incident has also raised questions about the effectiveness of the SRA scheme in providing safe and secure housing for project-affected persons. The scheme is intended to provide rehabilitation to slum dwellers, but cases like this highlight the need for greater oversight and enforcement of regulations to prevent such incidents.

In conclusion, the case against the Mumbai developer highlights the importance of ensuring that developers comply with statutory requirements and prioritize the safety of occupants. The matter is scheduled to be heard in court, and further action is expected to be taken against the accused. The incident has sparked concerns about the safety of residents in SRA projects and the need for stricter enforcement of regulations.