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The sprawling seaside mansion of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi, accused in the $2 billion PNB fraud case, was demolished on Friday, 8 March, using explosives, Raigad District Collector Vijay Suryawanshi confirmed.
The demolition was carried out in a controlled blasting, using over 30 kg explosives. Excavators were used to open up the pillars of the bungalow, called ‘Roopanya’, to make space for fixing the detonators. A special technical team was called to fix them, PTI had reported.
Last year, the state government had written to the ED, which had sealed the bungalow, seeking a nod to demolish the property on Kihim beach near Alibaug.
Authorities had said that the over 30,000 sq ft luxury bungalow was to be demolished as it, and the garden outside the bungalow, violated the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) norms and state permits.
“Initially, this bungalow was regularised by my predecessor collectors long back in 2011 but I again asked permission for review. I got the permission from my divisional commissioner to review the order and then we conducted hearings. We gave them almost three hearings and opportunities to put up their matter and after that I have issued orders of demolition.”Vijay Suryavanshi, Raigad collector
Suryavanshi added that, “The entire structure is unauthorised because it falls under CRZ and they also violated Maharashtra Regional Town planning (MRTP) Act.”
Efforts to demolish the bungalow had been going on for over a month. However, even the heavy machinery used for demolition had proved ineffective in dismantling the strong foundation of the villa.
To speed up the process, authorities decided to carry out the controlled explosion.
“For the last two-three days, we have been exposing the pillars that are all concealed because all the dynamites have to be fitted in the pillars. There are around 14 pillars there and dynamites will be fitted on all of them and then wiring will be done. We are trying to do this in a way that the entire bungalow comes down in one shot.”Vijay Suryavanshi, Raigad collector
In December, the Maharashtra government told the Bombay High Court that it had ordered the demolition of the illegal bungalow and about a month later in January 2019, the building was handed over to the Collector’s office.
Valuables from the villa have been seized by the Enforcement Directorate.
The fixtures from the bungalow will be up for auction. Three items, a Jacuzzi, a chandelier, and a Buddha statue, have been kept aside for handing over to the ED, Suryawanshi said.
(With inputs from PTI)
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