Rs 500-cr 'scam': Mumbai Police begins probe against Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Ravindra Waikar

Mumbai Police Economic Offences Wing(EOW) has started preliminary enquiry into Shivsena Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray MLA Ravindra Waikar following a complaint by BJP's Kirit Somaiya. According to the complaint filed, Waikar is involved in Rs 500 crore scam. The EOW has sent notices to senior officials from the garden and building department of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation(BMC)to join the investigation.

As per BJP's allegation, Waikar obtained approval for construction of a 5-star hotel on a plot reserved for a garden illegally. He used his political ties to get this approval, causing a huge loss to the BMC. Waikar called Somaiya's claim baseless and claimed that he has all the documents of the said plot and no rule or law was violated.

Confirming the development, sources in the EOW said that the top officials from the BMC’s garden and building department would be questioned soon. They have also been asked to come with the documents. In EOW, a preliminary enquiry is conducted on every complaint it receives. If enough facts surface suggesting that an offence is committed, then an FIR is registered for further investigation and prosecution. If no sufficient material is found in the enquiry, the case is closed then and there itself.