Transfer tug-of-war: Malad engineer at centre of explosive allegations

A major controversy is unfolding in Maladrsquos P North ward often referred to as a treasure trove raising serious questions about alleged political patronage repeated postings and intimidation At the heart of the matter is civic engineer Jayesh Kumar Raut who despite multiple transfers has allegedly returned to the same wardAllegedly threatened to implicate Zakir Husain Khan in a criminal case on March 10Most recently Raut mdash currently posted in the building and factory department of P North mdash was transferred to the sewerage department in Worli with clear instructions from senior Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation BMC officials to be relieved within three days However sources claim he has not yet been relieved and is allegedly attempting to stall the transferHow issue escalatedCivic engineer Jayesh Kumar RautSocial worker and activist Zakir Husain Khan had filed a formal complaint with senior authorities including the BMC Khan alleged that Raut approached him and attempted to ldquosettlerdquo the matter by offering money to withdraw complaints filed against him When Khan refused the situation allegedly worsened Khan a businessman and whistleblower active in the Malwani area said he had repeatedly raised concerns through RTI applications and official letters regarding Rautrsquos postings and alleged irregularities following which a departmental inquiry was reportedly initiatedThe alleged pressure tacticSocial worker and activist Zakir Husain KhanSpeaking to midday Khan further alleged that during a meeting on March 10 near Liberty Garden Raut smashed a glass on his own head and threatened to falsely implicate him in a criminal case Khan claimed the act was intended to intimidate and pressure him into withdrawing his complaint so that the transfer could be stalled Fearing for his safety Khan has written to top authorities including the Mumbai police commissioner seeking urgent action He has also warned that he would approach the Bombay High Court if no action is takenlsquoEverything is in placersquoMeanwhile sources from the BMCrsquos P North ward speaking on condition of anonymity said all formalities related to the transfer had been completed and the order had already been signed by the officer concerned However Raut had allegedly not reported to collect the transfer papersThree postingsAccording to RTI records Raut has been posted in P North ward on three occasions first in February 2013 as a junior engineer till December 2016 second in August 2017 as a secondary engineer till September 2021 and third in October 2024 where he continues despite a transfer order issued on March 10 2026 shifting him to Worlirsquos sewerage departmentOther sideRaut denied all allegations Speaking to midday he termed the claims ldquocompletely falserdquo and alleged that activists were harassing Khan who he termed a land grabber with multiple cases against his name in Malwani police station and were blackmailing him He added that he had filed a complaint at Malad police station and the process of registering an FIR was underway ldquoOnce it is registered I will share a copy and speak in detail Right now I am busyrdquo he said