NMMC issues notices over alleged encroachment in the dam’s submerged area, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik orders a detailed investigation into illegal constructions.

The Farm House

An alleged case of unauthorized construction has come to light in the submerged area of Morbe Dam, which serves as the primary source of drinking water for Navi Mumbai.

According to reports, a farmhouse named ‘M/s Samant Farm’ has allegedly been constructed at Boragaon (Khurd) village in Khalapur taluka of Raigad district. The property is reportedly linked to Suraj Manohar Samant. There are also claims of its connection to a former state minister, although this has not been officially established.

The farmhouse, along with a large reinforced cement concrete (RCC) compound wall, was allegedly built by encroaching on the dam’s submerged land. Reports also suggest that land filling was carried out in the reservoir without obtaining the necessary permissions. The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has reportedly issued several notices to the property owner seeking relevant documents and construction permissions. However, the required documents have allegedly not been submitted.

Meanwhile, Maharashtra Forest Minister Ganesh Naik has directed the NMMC Commissioner to conduct a detailed investigation into farmhouses and bungalows allegedly constructed by filling land in the Morbe Dam area. He has also instructed officials to take action and demolish illegal structures if violations are confirmed. The issue has raised concerns over the protection of Morbe Dam and the security of Navi Mumbai’s drinking water supply.

Accused allegedly promised to double investments within 30 days, investors approached police after failing to recover their money.

The Fraud

A 32-year-old woman has been booked for allegedly cheating four investors of Rs 72.98 lakh in Panvel by promising to double their investments within a month.

According to the complaint filed at Panvel City Police Station, the woman, a resident of Koproli, allegedly approached an investor at Orion Mall in Panvel and offered to double the invested amount within 30 days. She also assured investors that their original money would remain safe. Trusting her assurances, a 31-year-old resident of Kondharipada in Karanja, Uran, invested Rs 4 lakh on September 8 and another Rs 98,000 on September 9. Three other individuals from the Uran region also invested money in the scheme. The total amount collected from all four investors reportedly reached Rs 72.98 lakh.

However, the investors did not receive the promised returns even after a month. When they demanded their money back, the woman allegedly began avoiding them. Following this, the investors approached the police. The complaint was initially referred to the Navi Mumbai Police Economic Intelligence Wing for investigation.

After an inquiry conducted under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Sachin Gunjal, a case was registered against the woman. Police have initiated further investigation into the alleged investment fraud.

Candidates protest reduction in direct recruitment vacancies following promotions of 13 Area Officers, CIDCO maintains that the decision follows existing recruitment rules.

The Protest

The City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is facing criticism over its recruitment process for Assistant Development Officer (General) posts. Candidates have alleged that changes in promotion rules during the ongoing recruitment process have reduced the number of vacancies available for direct recruitment.

In December 2024, CIDCO advertised 24 vacancies out of 47 sanctioned posts for direct recruitment. A recruitment examination was conducted in July 2025, followed by document verification of 80 candidates in September 2025.

However, candidates claim that CIDCO subsequently promoted 13 Area Officers to Assistant Development Officer positions through an order issued on September 9, 2026. They allege that this decision reduced the vacancies originally announced for direct recruitment. Candidates have also raised concerns over the delay in declaring the examination results, claiming that the document verification process has remained pending for over 13 months. They fear that the revised vacancy distribution could affect reservation categories, particularly the Other Backward Classes (OBC).

CIDCO has defended its decision, stating that the 47 sanctioned posts are primarily meant to be filled through promotions, while direct recruitment is allowed when eligible departmental employees are unavailable. The corporation clarified that the 13 promotions were granted based on seniority, eligibility and recommendations of the promotion committee. It also stated that the direct recruitment process has not been cancelled and the remaining vacancies will be filled accordingly.