BMC commissioner shown as witness

Mumbai, Apr 3 (UNI) The prosecution has made Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner (BMC) a witness in the case pertaining to illegal construction of the twin shopping complex--Sara&Sahara-- on the Central Public Works Department (CPWD) land at Crawford Market in South Mumbai.

The issue of citing the BMC Commisioner as a prosecution witness came when former Assistant Commissioner Hasmukh Shah moved an application, praying for the civic body's circulars which were issued at the time of granting a NOC (No Objection Certificate) for the construction of the twin commercial complex.

MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) Judge Ashok Bhangale asked Special Public Prosecutor Rohini Salian, ''Is BMC Commissoner your witness'', to which she replied affirmatively.

Ms Salian told the court that the Commissioner would bring all the relevant circulars pertaining to the case at the time of his deposition.

The commercial complex, comprising more than 350 shops and 50-odd gowdowns, is alleged to belong to underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

A total eight persons--Dawood's younger brother Iqbal Kaskar, Abdul Sattar Teli, Abdul Rehman Sheikh, Tariq Praveen and four BMC officials --Kiran Acharekar, Shirish Salvekar, Narendra Rajbhar and Hasmukh Shah-- are facing trial.

The BMC officials have been charged with aiding and abetting under MCOCA.

UNI ST KD PK PC2124