Malad High-rise Society Chairman Santosh Jalan floats illegal office from maintenance funds
Malad High-rise Society Chairman Santosh Jalan floats illegal office from maintenance funds
Auris Serenity is the plush tallest high-rise in Malad off Sunder Lane, Marve Road, Malad(west).
It came to the light of the BMC following complaints from tenants that a luxurious office was in operation at the high-rise which is a strictly residential tower.
Now after reports, the BMC swung into action and pulled down the office illegally operated in Serenity Tower-1.
It is learnt that the office was built using maintenance funds of the society without valid permission from the society
to the tune of Rs 46 lakh by the society Chairman Sonu Jalan, a shady character and other committee members.
Reportedly, Jalan is a top bookie, who had earlier threatened the society members. After the reports was submitted to the society and copy endorsed to the BMC, last month it served a notice to the society, asking it to take down the illegal structure within a month.
When the BM issued the notice, the society held a special general meeting and decided to take down the office.
Meanwhile, the Slum Rehabilitation Authority, too, has sent a letter to the society asking for an explanation over the illegal structure and its operation in a residential society. Now the Society members have asked the SRA to initiate recovery of the money blatantly misused byJalan and other committee members.
BMC learnt that the illegal office was built in a 2,200 square feet space on podium level 3 and connected it with the existing one on podium level 2.
As per the residents, Jalan has been threatening the residents misusing his power and connections with the Underworld.
In the background of his criminal activities, none surged forward to go against him
The society needed the funds paid towards maintenance and which the society committee misused to construct the illegal office. This amount should be recovered from Jalan and committee members as they are responsible for this.
The Society members are at a loss to understand howcome SRA give a clean chit to the society committee and the audit report. The authority, however, is re-investigating the matter following BMC’s issuance of the notice. Auris Serenity members also add that Jalan should be dislodged as chairman of society.
According to the members of the society SRA had misused their power earlier. But it did not investigate the audit book properly and gave a clean chit to the committee. Moreover, the members had approached SRA over this issue on several occssions, ironically, no action whatsoever was initiated yet so far. In accordance to the notice issued by BMC’s P North ward the civic body has inducted a designated officer to probe the matter. Reportedly, Jalan completed construction of the illegal office in the society premises in twenty days.
News Input K.V.Raman
