01 September,2026 06:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
BJP MLA Mihir Kotecha. FILE PIC
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) legislator Mihir Kotecha has sought a detailed inquiry into the "cash for transfer" allegations in the transfer of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) engineers and has also demanded action against the officials responsible for allegedly delaying information sought by him.
Kotecha has written to Maharashtra Chief Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, alleging irregularities in the transfers of BMC engineers and questioning the role of Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Avinash Dhakane.
The allegations made by Kotecha have not been independently established. Neither Dhakane nor the BMC have commented on the allegations made by the MLA.
The issue of BMC engineers' transfers had come under scrutiny in 2025, when the then AMC issued orders transferring 165 engineers. BJP Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Amit Satam subsequently filed a written complaint alleging that a "cash for transfer" practice was involved in the transfers. The transfer orders were later cancelled on the directions of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis.
According to Kotecha, a fresh transfer proposal was prepared this year and included around 50 per cent of the engineers from the earlier proposal involving 165 transfers.
Kotecha said that on May 15, he wrote to BMC Municipal Commissioner Ashwini Bhide, drawing her attention to the proposed transfers.
"The proposal was reportedly prepared under the guidance of the Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs). Taking cognisance of my letter, the Municipal Commissioner cancelled the proposed transfer list," Kotecha said.
The BJP MLA has alleged that he received information indicating large-scale irregularities in the transfers of BMC engineers carried out around two to three months ago.
"I have information related to these irregularities, including a ârate card'. To verify this information, I raised several important questions and sought details from Additional Municipal Commissioner Avinash Dhakane on August 5, 2026. Almost 26 days had passed, but I have not received the response to my letter," Kotecha said.
The MLA said the information sought from Dhakane would help establish whether financial transactions were involved in the recent transfers.
Kotecha claimed that answers to the questions raised by him and the requested documents would help determine whether a "cash for transfer" practice had taken place in the recent transfers of engineers.
"The delay in providing the information has further intensified my suspicion regarding the role of Avinash Dhakane," Kotecha said.
He described the alleged delay in providing information sought by a sitting member of the Maharashtra Legislative Assembly as a serious matter and called for an inquiry into the entire episode.
In his letter to the chief secretary, Kotecha has sought a detailed inquiry into the alleged irregularities surrounding the transfers and the delay in providing the information sought by him.
"I urge you to take appropriate action against officials responsible for delaying the requested information," he said.
