PIL in HC alleges illegal water connections scam

A PIL in the Bombay High Court today alleged that a multi-crore scam pertaining to illegal water connections was flourishing in the city in connivance with municipal officials and police.
The petition urged the court to direct the authorities concerned to stop such practice.
The PIL claimed that there were 15000 to 25000 illegal water connections in Kurla area alone and sums ranging from Rs 40,000 to Rs 2 lakhs were paid for each illegal connection.
The connections were given on the basis of forged documents, said the PIL filed by RTI activists Rajesh Chinkarkar and Prakash Kamble.
Counsel for the petitioners, Rajendra Raghuvanshi contended that Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) was suffering losses because of such unauthorised connections.

He also alleged that the Anti-corruption Bureau (ACB) did not take any action even after it was informed about the malpractice.

Raghuvanshi urged the court to issue directions to the respondents to act against the guilty.
A bench headed by Justice P V Hardas issued notices to respondents including the BMC, ACB, and the police commissioner.
The matter has been posted after Diwali vacations.