The urban development secretary Nand Lal had ordered on June 20 immediate demolition of the Rs 3.5 crore ground-plus-one structure, built in October 1997, after the state government received repeated complaints from local residents and corporators.

The complex had come up in violation of a state government directive in 1996 to all the civic bodies asking them to ensure that "not even a brick is laid unauthorised." However, no action was taken against the promoters of Shivam complex who reportedly had the blessings of then Ulhasnagar Municipal Commissioner Capt S H Shool. The UMC chief was transferred on May 15 this year. The field mukadams of the encroachment department had reported the sighting of the illegal constructionactivity as early as the May 17, 1997.

Sources in the encroachment department said, "The rapport the 10-member team of real promoters and builders enjoyed with Shool and the encroachment department Deputy Municipal Commissioners Y Gangurde and V D Salwi ensured that no action was taken though there was no stay."

Among those allegedly involved include ex-councillor Anu Manwani (Jetha Nand is his driver), Kumar Ailani (the deputy mayor), Raju Tekchandani (whose wife is a corporator), Giridhari Sachdev and local Sena leader Gopal Rajwani. A UMC official said, "Things began moving only when the state government turned on the heat."

Still the UMC tried to give an escape route to the promoters of Shivam, the official said. According to him the DMC V D Salwi sent notices to all the 67 occupants on May 4, 1998 asking them to vacate the premises in three days. "Instead of sending the notices to the occupants directly they were handed over to Anu Manwani," informed a source who was a witness. When contacted, theDMC denied knowing anything about the notices and added, "I don't know why they are spreading such lies." Meanwhile, Gangurde promised, "The building will be demolished."