HC seeks ED reply to plea by ex-VVCMC chief on detention | Mumbai News

Mumbai: Bombay high court on Thursday asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to reply to a petition by Anilkumar Pawar, former commissioner of Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC), alleging illegal detention by the agency in its investigation into unauthorised construction of 41 residential and commercial buildings.Pawar was arrested on Aug 13. His petition urged HC to declare his arrest “illegal” and to quash and set aside the Aug 14 remand order of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court and directed his forthwith release.ED claimed Pawar and deputy director town planning Y S Reddy granted commencement certificates in urban and green areas. Pawar’s advocate said he “was not in the picture at the relevant time period”. There was no FIR filed directly against him and “therefore, no predicate or scheduled offence against him.” HC will hear the matter on Sept 30. tnn