Man says life in danger for taking on land mafia

A man has said in court that his life was in danger because he exposed illegal constructions by the land mafia in areas of southwest Delhi. Sumit Saxena reports.

A man has said in court that his life was in danger because he exposed illegal constructions by the land mafia in areas of southwest Delhi.

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In his affidavit, the whistleblower told the court that the nexus of builders, local politicians, Municipal Corporation of Delhi's employees and area policemen worked together to endorse it.

Mohammed Salim, a member of a non-governmental organisation (NGO) Jiwan Seva Ek Prayash, submitted in court that he was beaten up for petitioning against unauthorised buildings in Palam area and other nearby colonies.

According to him, he and other NGO members took pictures of illegal multi-storey buildings and filed cases against these in MCD courts.

The MCD counsel told the court that the buildings were sealed and that "further action was being planned".

The court has now asked the police to file a "written statement" regarding the matter. The case will come up for hearing next on February 25.