Raigad collector wants ED to auction pricey items in Nirav bungalow

NAVI MUMBAI: The Raigad collectorate wants the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to auction some valuable articles in the Nirav Modi bungalow at Kihim beach to recover the cost of demolishing the house. Earlier, the ED had asked the collector to remove and hand over sculptures and statues from the bungalow. The district is likely to carry out controlled blasting to raze the bungalow.
Sources in the Raigad district administration said, “The ED, while handing over possession of the bungalow to the district administration, had asked them to remove all valuable goods and hand it over to them.The demolition is being carried out by the district administration under the Maharashtra Regional Town Planning Act. The demolition cost needs to be recovered from the owner according to the Act.”
The source added that this is the reason they have sought clearance from the probe agency to allow valuables be auctioned to recover the cost. But, no decision has been taken. The bungalow has statues, sculptures and other interior items brought from countries like Thailand, Indonesia among others.
As engineering experts are said to be of the opinion that the demolition of the bungalow in a regular manner is a “costly” affair, they have suggested controlled blasting. On Friday, the Bombay high court had ordered not to demolish the bungalow without removing all items. Hence, the district administration has decided to stop the demolition exercise.