Daijiworld Media Network - Virar
Virar, Sep 8: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has arrested Pune-based contractor Azharuddin Bashir Saiyyed in connection with an alleged Rs 69-crore scam involving a waste-processing project of the Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation (VVMC).
The main contractor, Hindkumar Yadav, is absconding, police said.
The VVMC had awarded Sai Utility Private Ltd a contract to process around 13 lakh tonnes of accumulated waste at a dumping ground. However, the contractor allegedly failed to implement the waste-processing project and submitted fake bills to withdraw crores of rupees.
The BJP had earlier alleged that the scam amounted to more than Rs 100 crore.
Following a complaint filed by the VVMC at Bolinj police station, a case was registered against Yadav and Saiyyed on charges including cheating, misuse of government property and preparation of forged documents, among other offences.
"An arrest has been made and important documents have been seized from the accused. Efforts are on to trace Yadav," said ACP Bangar of the EOW, who is supervising the investigation.
The EOW is conducting further investigation into the alleged financial irregularities and the role of those involved in the waste-processing project.