Khan got illegal water connections for tenants: Vira’s son
MUMBAI : The water connections to the commercial and residential establishments on a 16-acre plot allegedly encroached upon by former corporator Razzak Khan were illegal, said Mayur, son of RTI activist Bhupendra Vira, 61, who was shot dead on Saturday night.
Vira filed more than 2,000 Right to Information (RTI) applications related to the properties that had come up on the plot. Responses to the queries filed by Vira in 2013 and 2014 showed that the illegal water supply was costing taxpayers several lakhs, his son alleged.
“My father exposed Khan’s illegal acquisition of the plot. He also filed a couple of RTI applications in the BMC and found out that many people in the area did not have legal water connection for several years. It has cost the taxpayers so much money,” said Mayur.
“When the people don’t pay for the water supply, the BMC disconnects their meters. But these people have been stealing water for years. Who will keep an account of this? My father filed RTI queries to expose it, which didn’t go down well with Khan. My father has complained about it, but everything is managed,” said Mayur.
“We are not aware of it. We will have to check if there is any complaint in this regard,” said a BMC official, requesting anonymity.