BMC Official Suspended in ₹16.24 Crore Fraud Case, June 09

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation suspended Assistant Commissioner Mahesh Patil of the K-North ward on June 7 following allegations that he and five associates defrauded Habiba Jaaferi, wife of actor Jaaved Jaaferi, of ₹16.24 crore. The accused allegedly used forged documents to lure her into a fake Bandra redevelopment project. Patil has since absconded, and the Mumbai Crime Branch has taken over the investigation.

How the Fraud Unfolded

Patil first approached the Jaaferi family to help resolve a property tax dispute on their Andheri bungalow. After gaining their trust, he and his associates convinced Habiba Jaaferi to invest in a commercial redevelopment project in Bandra West called New Kamalkunj. They promised high returns and guaranteed possession by December 2025, backed by a pre-lease agreement allegedly from a foreign bank.

To make the scheme appear legitimate, the accused created an elaborate trail of forged materials including fake maps, letters, and fabricated videos and images of the proposed project. They used equipment designed to resemble official government devices to conduct fake registration procedures, collecting photographs, signatures, and fingerprints before handing over forged paperwork as proof.

Official Suspension and Investigation Escalation

The BMC issued the suspension order on June 5 and formally served it to Patil on June 7. An FIR was registered at Khar Police Station against Patil and five other accused, including businessman Nishit Patel, who has already been arrested and remanded into police custody. Patil has reportedly gone absconding since the FIR was filed.

Given the seriousness of the allegations and the large sum involved, the Mumbai Crime Branch took over the investigation from local police. Crime Branch teams are conducting raids at multiple locations to locate Patil and the other accused.

Abuse of Government Position

The case reveals how a municipal official exploited his government position to establish credibility with the victim. Patil’s role in the K-North ward gave him access to official channels and the appearance of authority, which the accused used to convince Habiba Jaaferi that the investment was legitimate and backed by government oversight. The accused allegedly prepared forged and fake documents to support their claims, including fake registration procedures and government-like paperwork.

Final Thoughts

A suspended BMC official faces fraud charges for allegedly swindling ₹16.24 crore from actor Jaaved Jaaferi’s wife through a fake property scheme. The case underscores the risk when government employees misuse their authority to gain victim trust before executing large-scale fraud.

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