Forgery Scandal: 102 Mumbai Suburb Maps Tampered

The Maharashtra government has uncovered the forgery of at least 102 maps of eco-sensitive zones in Mumbai suburbs. A special investigation team formed after a 2020 discovery led to the arrest of nine individuals. An inquiry against 11 government employees is underway, as confirmed by Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule.

In a recent revelation, Maharashtra Minister Chandrashekhar Bawankule informed the state legislative council that at least 102 maps of villages, earmarked as eco-sensitive zones in the suburbs of Mumbai, were discovered to be forged.

The disclosure came as a response to BJP MLC Vikrant Patil's inquiry about the forged maps of these protected areas. Bawankule acknowledged the existence of this malpractice, which came to light in 2020.

According to the minister, original records for the Malvan, Poisar, and Erangal areas had been tampered with. Following a Bombay High Court directive, a special investigation team was set up leading to the arrest of nine individuals, including retired police and private persons, and the initiation of a departmental inquiry against 11 government employees.