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SIT Established to Investigate Property Tax Scam: State to HC

MADURAI: The state informed the Madras High Court on Friday that a Special Investigation Team (SIT), led by Deputy Inspector General of Police, Madurai Range, Abhinav Kumar, has been formed to investigate the property tax scam in the Madurai Corporation. In light of these updates, a division bench comprising Justice S M Subramaniam and Justice A D Maria Clete directed authorities to submit a progress report on the investigation and postponed the hearing for two weeks. The court was addressing a public interest litigation submitted by T Ravi, an AIADMK councillor from Ward 83 of the Madurai Corporation. The petitioner…

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ED Investigates Reliance Home Finance Over ₹7,000 Crore Loans

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is currently examining extensive documents and digital records obtained from Anil Ambani’s Reliance group during searches conducted from July 24 to Sunday. The agency is particularly focused on the alleged diversion of Rs 12,000 crore in loans by Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL) to various affiliated entities. The ED is receiving support from the National Financial Reporting Authority, CBI, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), and the National Housing Bank, as the case involves significant public fund misappropriation. Approximately a dozen related entities are undergoing insolvency proceedings, leading to substantial losses for…

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Bombay HC Rejects Plea, Motilal Redevelopment Progresses

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has dismissed a review petition, allowing the redevelopment of 141 acres of MHADA land in Goregaon West, known as Motilal Nagar. MHADA has appointed Adani Realty as the consultant and Development Agency (CDA) for the project, which is expected to be the largest housing initiative in the city. Motilal Nagar Vikas Samiti, a resident group, filed the review petition to contest the court’s initial ruling from March 6, 2025, by Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre. They sought an interim stay to prevent MHADA and the awarded developer from proceeding with the project.…

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Bombay HC Halts Slum Rehab on Mumbai University Land

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has placed a stay on a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme concerning over 3.5 acres of land claimed by Bombay University. This land was acquired for academic use by the Mumbai Collector between 1967 and 1974. Despite the acquisition, the land was not registered under the university’s name, and third-party rights were established in favor of a developer due to outdated revenue records, as stated in a petition by Mumbai University (MU). The university pointed out that by 2024, the land had been designated as a slum because of encroachment, without any notice given to…

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Telangana Court Orders Builders to Compensate in Two Cases

HYDERABAD: The Ranga Reddy district consumer disputes redressal commission has favored consumers in two distinct real estate cases — one concerning delayed flat possession and another about promised returns on land-linked investments. Refunds and compensations were mandated in both instances. In the initial case, Rajitha Guduru from Bachupalli paid Rs 25 lakh in installments to a real estate company engaged in land ventures in Warangal. Despite receiving certificates that assured monthly returns on “undivided land shares,” no payments were made. Rajitha stated that she was never informed about the land’s location or provided with adequate documentation. Despite her continual inquiries,…

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ED Investigates High-Rise Scam, Seizes Cash Linked to Official

HYDERABAD: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has uncovered a series of questionable real estate transactions and seized Rs 72 lakh in unaccounted cash during investigations linked to the suspended HMDA director, Siva Balakrishna. The inquiry was triggered by an earlier FIR alleging illegal payments for the approval of a high-rise project by Udaya SSV Projects in Narsingi. This prompted the ED to carry out targeted searches, uncovering incriminating documents tied to several real estate deals and firms. The investigation is rooted in a disproportionate assets case initiated by the Anti Corruption Bureau. The latest searches took place on July 24 at…

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Odisha HC Cancels Land Deals in Baniapat Khuntapada, Keonjhar

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has annulled several land transactions pertaining to 4.40 acres of shared ancestral property in Baniapat Khuntapada and Keonjhar. The court noted that these transactions were marred by the intentional exclusion of heirs and procedural irregularities. As a result, the court has instructed the Keonjhar district collector to investigate the irregularities and take disciplinary measures against responsible officials. Additionally, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has been ordered to halt any compensation payments for the land designated for a highway project and to recover any funds already disbursed. In a ruling dated July 18, Justice…

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Danda Panchayat Secretary Suspended for Housing Irregularities

GARHWA: Deputy Commissioner Dinesh Kumar Yadav suspended the secretary of Danda panchayat on Wednesday for allegedly enrolling ineligible beneficiaries in the state’s Abua Aawas Yojana. Shambhu Prasad was found to have excluded eligible beneficiaries and included questionable ones for the scheme during the 2023-24 fiscal year, following an investigation by Garhwa Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) Sanjay Kumar, officials reported. After receiving multiple complaints, Yadav initiated the investigation into the beneficiary selection. “Abua Awas Yojana is a crucial scheme of the state government. The inclusion of ineligible beneficiaries undermines the scheme’s transparency and violates the rights of deserving recipients. It’s vital that…

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Bombay HC urges Thane civic body to act on illegal structures

MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court has instructed the Thane municipal commissioner to engage with senior officials from electricity supply companies to identify power connections provided to illegal constructions. The court also called for an investigation into civic officers who enable water supply to these unauthorized edifices. Justices Girish Kulkarni and Arif Doctor remarked that providing electricity to illegal buildings represents a “national loss” while noting that granting water to such constructions significantly exacerbates the public’s struggles during water scarcity. The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) reported compliance with earlier court orders, resulting in the demolition of 21 illegal structures using “sophisticated…

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ED Apprehends Fugitives Linked to Universal Buildwell

CHANDIGARH: The Directorate of Enforcement (ED) from the Gurugram Zonal Office announced the arrest of Raman Puri, Varun Puri, and Vikram Puri—former directors and promoters of Universal Buildwell Pvt Ltd—under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act for involvement in alleged real estate fraud. The trio, who were on the run for over seven years and declared proclaimed offenders by multiple courts, were arrested by the Delhi Police. The special PMLA court in Gurugram ordered the trio to be held in ED custody until July 29. The investigation was initiated after more than 30 FIRs were filed against Universal Buildwell Pvt…