Investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the Vasai-Virar construction scam has uncovered large-scale corruption involving senior civic officials. According to the ED, former Vasai-Virar municipal commissioner Anilkumar Pawar and deputy director of Town Planning YS Reddy collected more than Rs 275 crore in bribes by illegally approving over 5.5 crore sq ft of construction across the city.

As per investigations, Pawar allegedly charged Rs 25 per sq ft, while Reddy demanded Rs 10 per sq ft for issuing approvals. Junior officials, too, shared in the kickbacks, using coded terms such as “A, B, C” to divide the amounts. Much of the money was funnelled through local architects and chartered accountants before being distributed among officials.

The ED has also found that a major portion of the bribe money may have been transferred abroad, with transactions traced in euros and US dollars. Special Public Prosecutor Kavita Patil told the court that the funds may have been moved overseas, requiring an  inquiry at an international level. The case involves 41 unauthorised buildings in Nalasopara.