A redevelopment project has been approved for Pratibha, a building previously involved in a corruption scandal.
Built over 40 years ago, 36-floor Pratibha was demolished in Feb 2019 and the site levelled. The Pratibha scam first hit the headlines in 1984 when the then Mumbai collector Arun Bhatia conducted an audit of building sanctions. It was found that the original builder had falsely declared the plot’s area as over 9,282 sq m as against the actual, 7,197 sq m.
Some years ago, Bhatia, now retired, told TOI that he was transferred soon after he exposed the scandal. “There were many officers involved, but I don’t know if anyone was ever punished,” he said. A one-level bungalow on the plot will also be razed. the developer clarified there was no restraining order from any court and no litigation or complaints for environmental violations While MCZMA noted that certain court matters were pending in connection with the plot. Each floor contained two sprawling flats. Among the original buyers were high net worth individuals, NRIs, and private firms, besides playback singers Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle.
