BMC finds illegal alterations inside Malad school, police doesn't register FIR

BMC had issued a notice to the school regarding the violations in October last year PicSayyed Sameer AbediOver four months ago a rainbow of unauthorised constructions were discovered inside the upscale VIBGYOR high school in Malad East Despite knowing about the illegal alterations inside the building which could affect the safety of the students both the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC and the police have dragged their feet in registering a case against the institute The school is located in a fourstorey building near Oberoi mall According to a source the matter of illegal alterations and additions came to light last year after a complaint was filed in BMCs PNorth Malad wardWhen the team visited the school it was shocked to see the students playing inside the basement The place had a small cricket pitch skating area and basketball court and was centrally air conditionedMassive violationsAfter inspection of the school building the BMC team found massive violations against the approved plans of the building Following this they issued notice on October 9 2017 under section 53 1 of MRTP Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act to the school management midday has a copyThe school building doesnt have an OC Occupation Certificate and has unpaid pending dues of old cases When the team visited the school it was shocked to see the students playing inside the basement The place had a small cricket pitch skating area and basketball court and was centrally air conditioned The basement exits were improper too posing a greater risk with regards to fire safety the source added All of these were against the approved plansIn addition to these BMCs notice to the schools owner Rustom Kerawalla and Chandan Kelekar trustee of Empire Foundation under which VIBGYOR is run stated further violations Common area and compulsory open space are encroached with habitable area by constructing rooms on all respective floors Passengers lifts car lifts and parking on ground floor are enclosed and merged with habitable area by constructing rooms in contravention of approved plansA source from the BMC said The school management was given one months time but they did nothing to change the violations Later the ward officials sent a letter on November 17 2017 to Kurar police station asking them to investigate the matter and lodge an FIR against the school Officials from the ward admitted there was lot of pressure from politicians not to pursue this case According to an official after BMCs letter the cops had initiated a panchnama but nothing happened after thatThe building and factory department of PNorth ward had also sent letters to BMCs education officer asking them to take action and fire officer of Dindoshi fire brigade highlighting the basement used for sports The department had told the fire brigade that the safety of the students and staff is an issue and asked them to inspect the site and initiate actionWhen midday spoke to the station officer of Dindoshi fire brigade Ravi Pawade he said I dont have any such report regarding violations with me For more details you can go and file an RTI in our divisional office at Borivli When asked about the illegal construction in the basement being risky for fire safety he said We only issue NOC to buildings Regarding these violations some other team takes action Chief fire officer of Mumbai Fire Brigade P S Rahangdale said I will check with concerned officials and if there are any violations we will take stern action against them Assistant municipal commissioner of PNorth ward Sanjog Kabre was not available for commentCops saySpeaking to midday senior police inspector of Kurar police station Uday Rajshirke said We have got the complaint letter from the BMC ward about illegal alterations and additions in VIBGYOR school As per the procedure an inspection of the place was recently done along with a BMC officer Next week the civic officials will come with the full report of the case after which the FIR will be filed against the schoolAllegations are bogusVibgyors owner Rustom Kerawalla denied any violations and said They all are bogus allegations made by people with ulterior motives Thats all what else can I say A lot of what you are saying about violations doesnt even make senseInputs by Samiullah KhanCatch up on all the latest Mumbai news crime news current affairs and also a complete guide on Mumbai from food to things to do and events across the city here Also download the new midday Android and iOS apps to get latest updates