The Crossbill News Desk
In a high-profile demolition drive carried out before sunrise on Wednesday (May 13), the Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar Municipal Corporation razed a residential structure linked to AIMIM corporator Matiin Patel in the Kausar Baug area, drawing political attention and tension in the locality.
The property had recently come under the spotlight after it was allegedly used as a hideout by Nashik TCS case accused Nida Khan prior to her arrest.
A large civic enforcement team, supported by heavy police deployment, reached the site early in the morning with earthmovers and anti-encroachment officials to begin demolition proceedings.
Authorities said the structure was one of two properties belonging to Patel that had been identified as allegedly unauthorised constructions during a municipal review, The Indian Express reported.
The action followed the arrest of Nida Khan, who had been absconding since April 10 and was apprehended on May 7 from a bungalow in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar’s Naregaon area, allegedly owned by Patel.
Soon after the arrest, civic authorities issued notices on May 9 citing alleged illegal construction at both the Kausar Baug residence and an office building in the same locality.
The demolition proceeded despite Patel’s family submitting documents to the civic body’s anti-encroachment cell a day earlier and requesting 15 days to respond. Family members argued that the three-day notice violated safeguards laid down in the Supreme Court’s November 2024 ruling against arbitrary demolition actions.
On Tuesday night, AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel visited the site and addressed supporters gathered there, urging restraint.
“We will fight this legally. I assure you that the AIMIM will build Matin a better and bigger place at the same place,” Jaleel told protestors, the paper reported.
Municipal authorities maintained that legal procedure had been followed.
Patel, formally known as Matin Majid Shaikh and popularly called Majid Patel, is a first-time corporator from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. According to his election affidavit, the 35-year-old businessman, educated up to Class 7, owns agricultural and non-agricultural land assets along with residential property.
Officials have also indicated that further action, including possible disqualification under provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, could follow if illegal construction is established.
The demolition has intensified political debate in the city, as civic authorities continue enforcement actions against allegedly unauthorised structures while opposition leaders question the timing and manner of such drives.
The property had recently come under the spotlight after it was allegedly used as a hideout by Nashik TCS case accused Nida Khan prior to her arrest.
A large civic enforcement team, supported by heavy police deployment, reached the site early in the morning with earthmovers and anti-encroachment officials to begin demolition proceedings.
Authorities said the structure was one of two properties belonging to Patel that had been identified as allegedly unauthorised constructions during a municipal review, The Indian Express reported.
The action followed the arrest of Nida Khan, who had been absconding since April 10 and was apprehended on May 7 from a bungalow in Chhatrapati Sambhaji Nagar’s Naregaon area, allegedly owned by Patel.
Soon after the arrest, civic authorities issued notices on May 9 citing alleged illegal construction at both the Kausar Baug residence and an office building in the same locality.
The demolition proceeded despite Patel’s family submitting documents to the civic body’s anti-encroachment cell a day earlier and requesting 15 days to respond. Family members argued that the three-day notice violated safeguards laid down in the Supreme Court’s November 2024 ruling against arbitrary demolition actions.
On Tuesday night, AIMIM leader Imtiyaz Jaleel visited the site and addressed supporters gathered there, urging restraint.
“We will fight this legally. I assure you that the AIMIM will build Matin a better and bigger place at the same place,” Jaleel told protestors, the paper reported.
Municipal authorities maintained that legal procedure had been followed.
Patel, formally known as Matin Majid Shaikh and popularly called Majid Patel, is a first-time corporator from the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen. According to his election affidavit, the 35-year-old businessman, educated up to Class 7, owns agricultural and non-agricultural land assets along with residential property.
Officials have also indicated that further action, including possible disqualification under provisions of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, could follow if illegal construction is established.
The demolition has intensified political debate in the city, as civic authorities continue enforcement actions against allegedly unauthorised structures while opposition leaders question the timing and manner of such drives.
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