Probe FIRs against builders one at a time: HC to police

Referring to 29 FIRs lodged against builders who have failed to surrender the surplus built-up area of their constructions to the city’s repair board, the Bombay high court on Thursday directed the police to complete the probe into each of the cases one at a time.

Referring to 29 FIRs lodged against builders who have failed to surrender the surplus built-up area of their constructions to the city’s repair board, the Bombay high court on Thursday directed the police to complete the probe into each of the cases one at a time.

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The court was hearing a petition filed by Oscar Builders Private Limited and its director, who sought to quash an FIR registered against them for not surrendering the surplus built-up area to the Mumbai Buildings Repairs and Reconstruction Board.

Advocate Vaibhav Parshurami, who was appearing for the board, said that various builders across the city have not surrendered the surplus built-up area due to which complaints have been filed against them with the Economic Offences Wing.

The builder’s advocate told a division bench of justice AM Khanwilkar and justice RG Ketkar that the developer had complied with the conditions stipulated for redeveloping the south Mumbai property but was it was unable to surrender the surplus built-up area because a buyer has constructed around the premises, thereby blocking access to it.

Meanwhile, public prosecutor PA Pol told the court that a probe has been initiated into the 29 FIRs that were filed against various builders and developers.

The court held that the investigating officer should complete the investigation into each case within a month before proceeding to the next. The court has sought a progress report by December 22