Ahmedabad: The issue of alleged irregularities in obtaining Disturbed Areas Act (Ashant Dhara) approval for an under-construction project named ‘Baghban’ in Ahmedabad’s Khanpur area has now reached the Gujarat High Court. The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has sealed the Khanpur site following allegations that a Hindu person was made a partner to allegedly secure approval under the Disturbed Areas Act. The High Court has ordered the parties to maintain status quo at the site.

According to available details, a Hindu individual, Jaymin Bharwad, was reportedly made a partner with a 5 percent share in the project being developed by Rehbar Developers in order to obtain Disturbed Areas Act clearance. However, it was later revealed that soon after the approval was granted, Bharwad was removed from the partnership.

The shareholding pattern was stated as follows:

• Pathan Adil Khan Wasti Khan: 90 percent

• Mujeeb Khan Pathan: 5 percent

• Jaymin Bharwad: 5 percent (allegedly removed after approval)

The matter was brought to light by Dariyapur MLA Kaushik Jain, who submitted complaints to the Chief Minister’s Office and the Collector. Alleging a recurring pattern, Jain claimed that Hindu partners are included on paper only to secure approvals and later removed.

The MLA alleged, “A person is given 5 percent partnership to get the plan approved in Hindu areas, and once approval is obtained, the person is removed. Such a scheme has been used in our area as well in the Baghban project.”

Notably, the site was first sealed in September 2024 after violations were found. Although it was later unsealed after payment of a fine, it was sealed again following fresh complaints and irregularities reportedly detected during the Collector’s inquiry.

The developer group has now approached the Gujarat High Court, which has stayed further construction and restrained AMC from taking additional action. The court has directed that status quo be maintained. DeshGujarat