The Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged on Tuesday that IAS officer Anil Pawar obtained 169 crore rupees in ‘proceeds of crime’ through bribes and used this money to purchase gold, diamonds, expensive sarees for his wife, and to invest in housing projects in her name. IAS Anil Pawar, former commissioner of Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), was arrested by the ED in July this year along with three others in a money laundering case.

This case relates to illegal construction of residential and commercial buildings on government and private land in the VVCMC area since 2009. All four accused are currently in judicial custody. The ED has filed a chargesheet against them in Mumbai’s special PMLA court, which the court has not yet taken cognizance of. The central agency claimed that Anil Pawar operated a ‘bribe collection cartel’ and therefore turned a blind eye to illegal construction activities.

₹150 per square foot bribe for illegal construction

The ED states that a fixed commission rate of 150 rupees per square foot was established for illegal construction projects, of which 50 rupees per square foot went directly to Anil Pawar. After becoming VVCMC commissioner, he set bribe rates at 20-25 rupees per square foot in urban areas and 62 rupees per square foot in green zones. The agency revealed that in this manner, Anil Pawar accumulated 169 crore rupees in proceeds of crime. To launder this money, he created several entities in the names of family members, relatives, and benami holders.

According to ED allegations, with this income, IAS Anil Pawar purchased gold, diamonds, pearl jewelry, expensive sarees, warehouses, farmhouses for his wife, and invested in housing projects. Most of the proceeds of crime were invested in immovable properties in the names of Anil Pawar’s wife, daughters, and other relatives. In July 2024, the Bombay High Court ordered the demolition of 41 illegal buildings constructed on land reserved for sewage treatment plants and dumping grounds in Vasai Virar.

ED seizes properties worth 71 crore rupees

Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) demolished all illegal buildings by February 20, 2025. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has seized properties worth 71 crore rupees linked to illegal construction of buildings in Vasai-Virar, of which properties worth 44 crore rupees belonged to former Vasai-Virar Municipal Corporation commissioner Anil Pawar (IAS). The ED recorded statements from several builders and architects who admitted to paying bribes to IAS Anil Pawar and other VVCMC officials in exchange for approval of their building construction files.

Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC)

The Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) is a civic administrative body governing the Vasai-Virar region, a northern coastal suburb of Mumbai, India. Historically, the area was part of the Portuguese colony of the “Northern Provinces,” with the Vasai Fort (Bassein Fort) being a significant 16th-century colonial outpost before coming under Maratha and later British rule. Today, the VVCMC manages the rapidly urbanizing region, which has evolved from a collection of villages and historic towns into a major residential hub.

Mumbai’s special PMLA court

Mumbai’s special PMLA court is a dedicated judicial forum established to handle cases exclusively under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. It was created to ensure the specialized and expeditious trial of financial crimes involving money laundering, a growing concern in India’s economic landscape. This court plays a crucial role in India’s legal framework for combating the concealment of illegally obtained wealth.

Bombay High Court

The Bombay High Court is one of India’s oldest high courts, established in 1862 during the British colonial era. Its iconic Gothic Revival building, completed in 1878, is located in Mumbai and remains a functioning seat of justice and a significant historical landmark.

Enforcement Directorate (ED)

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is not a cultural or historical site, but a specialized financial investigation agency of the Indian government. It was established in 1956 and is responsible for enforcing key economic laws, primarily focusing on combating money laundering and foreign exchange violations. Its work involves investigating financial crimes and attaching assets derived from such illegal activities.

IAS officer Anil Pawar

“Anil Pawar” is not a place or cultural site; he is an individual who serves as an Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officer in the state of Maharashtra, India. As a civil servant, he has held various public administration roles, but he does not represent a physical location or a cultural heritage site with a historical background.

VVCMC area

I am unable to provide a summary for “VVCMC area” as this acronym does not correspond to a well-known or widely recognized place or cultural site. It could be an abbreviation for a local organization, a specific project, or a lesser-known location. For an accurate summary, more specific context or the full name would be needed.

Vasai Virar

Vasai Virar is a city in the Indian state of Maharashtra, located north of Mumbai. Historically, the region is known for the Bassein Fort, a major fortified naval base built by the Portuguese in the 16th century, which was later captured by the Marathas. Today, it is a rapidly growing part of the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.

illegal buildings

“Illegal buildings” are not a specific cultural site but a term for structures constructed without official permits or in violation of zoning laws. They often arise from rapid urbanization, housing shortages, or a lack of formal planning, and can be found in many cities worldwide. Historically, some informal settlements have eventually been integrated into the formal city fabric, though they often begin as unauthorized constructions.