Kalyan: In a significant development, Land Surveyor Balu Bahiram and Architect Rajesh Bagul, both employed in the Town Planning Department of Kalyan Dombivli Municipality, have been suspended from municipal service following their involvement in an alleged case of tampering with building construction plans. The decision to suspend the two employees was taken by Commissioner Dr. Indurani Jakhar under the Maharashtra Civil Service and Misconduct Act, after they spent over 48 hours in police custody.
Last week, Bahiram and Bagul were apprehended by the market police in connection with a fake enumeration map case. Subsequently, they were held in police custody for three days before being remanded to judicial custody by the Kalyan and District Sessions Court on Monday. The investigation into the case has also targeted other municipal officials, including the then town planner Rajesh More, junior engineer Dnyaneshwar More, and retired assistant director Maruti Rathod.
Rathod, who is currently evading authorities, is being sought by the police in Amravati and Pune. While efforts are being made by some employees to secure pre-arrest bail, the imposition of non-bailable clauses has complicated the legal proceedings, making it challenging for the accused to obtain bail. Amidst these developments, several developers and architects have expressed discomfort, with complainant Ramesh Padmakar Mhatre calling for police action against the architect and developer involved in the case.
The suspension of Bahiram and Bagul underscores the municipality's commitment to upholding integrity and accountability in its operations, particularly in matters concerning urban planning and development.