Surat: The Deputy Engineer of Surat Municipal Corporation has filed a police complaint, alleging that the BJP corporator from Ward 23 prevented civic officials from demolishing “illegal constructions” on a plot reserved for the SMC.

The incident occurred on Thursday when SMC officials Chandresh Patoriya, Prakshesh Chaudhary, Ketan Goswami, Mayur Patel, and Henil Mehta, along with a technical assistant team from the encroachment department, arrived at the plot, which was supposedly designated for a school and library. There were eight illegal rooms built on the plot, and as the SMC team began the demolition, corporator Geeta Rabari, her husband Teja Rabari, and their sons Mayur and Mehul arrived with local residents.

A heated argument erupted as the corporator ordered the officials to stop the demolition. SMC Assistant Engineer Prakesh Chaudhary stated that the SMC team was threatened with stone pelting. When asked to speak to Udhna Zone Deputy Engineer N. R. Chaudahry, Mayur Rabari abused him and threatened that the ACB would investigate him for bribery.

According to Udhna Zone Chief G. D. Chaudhan, two prior notices were issued against the illegal construction, but with no response, the SMC team carried out the demolition of 90 percent of the structures.

Pandesara Police have summoned the accused named in the complaint for their statements and will investigate who was behind the construction. DeshGujarat