Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai (SR)

Mumbai, Oct 17: Azad Maidan police on Wednesday registered an FIR against six people for 'stealing' groundwater worth Rs 73.18 crore by illegally digging two wells on a building premise. As per the case registered, the culprits stole groundwater for over 11 years from two illegal wells at Kalbadevi in south Mumbai, said the police.

The complainant, Sureshkumar Dhoka said the owners of Pandya Mansion in Bomanji Master Lane and three water tanker operators dug inside the compound of Pandya Mansion without necessary permits.

"Owner of the mansion, Tripuraprasad Pandya drew water illegally by using electricity metres and selling it through water tanker operators," he said as quoted by PTI agency.

As per the FIR filed, the accused earned at least Rs 73.19 crore by selling nearly 6.1 lac tankers (of 10,000 litre capacity each) at an average cost of Rs 1,200 per tankers in 11 years.

A case was registered under section 379 (theft) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code against Tripuraprasad Pandya, his son Prakash Tripuraprasad Pandya, his relative Manoj Pandya and tanker operators Arun Mishra, Shrawan Mishra, Dhiraj Mishra and other concerned persons at Azad Maidan police station, said the official, as reported in PTI.