Mumbai: Vasai Virar Municipal Official Suspended After Alleged Corruption Audio Clip Goes Viral

Vasai, February 5 – In a significant move, the Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) has suspended Assistant Municipal Commissioner Mohan Sankhe after an audio clip, allegedly featuring him, went viral on social media. The clip, in which Sankhe is heard accepting a bribe of ₹2 lakh and aiding a developer in safeguarding illegal chawls from demolition, has sparked outrage among activists and residents alike.

Sankhe, who is currently responsible for overseeing the D-ward (Achole, Vasai East), has been previously suspended for unethical conduct but was reinstated just six to seven months ago. The viral audio clip appears to show Sankhe advising a developer on how to bypass legal hurdles to prevent demolition of illegal buildings that were constructed on reservation plots, meant for a dumping ground and sewage treatment plant (STP).

The suspension comes just days after the Supreme Court mandated the demolition of 41 illegally constructed buildings in Vasai. These buildings, constructed on reserved land, have raised concerns about rampant corruption within the VVCMC and the failure of authorities to take action against such illegal activities. Activists have long questioned the lack of accountability within the civic body.

A senior official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, confirmed the suspension, stating, "The action was taken in view of the alleged audio clip that went viral." The official further mentioned that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

Activist Deepak Rao, who has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the National Green Tribunal (NGT) concerning the illegal construction debris and encroachment on water bodies in Vasai Virar, has called for a thorough probe. "What about the higher-ups to whom Sankhe reported? When will there be action against them?" Rao questioned, demanding accountability for the larger network of corruption that may have enabled the illegal construction and the subsequent cover-up.

The VVCMC's move to suspend Sankhe is seen as a step towards addressing the ongoing corruption issues in the region. However, residents and activists are calling for further investigation and punitive action against others involved in the illegal constructions and corrupt practices.

As the demolition of the illegal buildings continues under the Supreme Court's order, the fate of those who allowed these constructions to proliferate remains uncertain, with growing calls for a wider investigation into the alleged corruption within VVCMC.