Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: In a dawn operation that triggered political uproar and local resentment, the municipal corporation on Wednesday demolished the house and office of AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel in Naregaon, along with another house, allegedly used for five days by a TCS employee before her arrest by the Nashik police.
The demolition drive began around 6:15 am under tight security, with 105 police personnel — including three ACPs and five inspectors — deployed as nearly 100 civic employees, aided by 10 JCBs, Hywa trucks and emergency services, moved in to flatten the structures.
Following an appeal by AIMIM state president Imtiaz Jaleel, Patel's family members and local residents greeted the demolition squad with what they called "Gandhigiri" — showering flowers and offering a copy of the Constitution. The police, however, intervened and prevented them from garlanding demolition chief Santosh Wahule.
The action drew sharp political reactions, with AIMIM state president Imtiaz Jaleel terming it "injustice" and announcing a crowdfunding campaign to rebuild Patel's demolished home and office. The move also sparked a bitter war of words between AIMIM workers and members of parties in government.
On the ground, anger simmered after a neighbouring building material shop was also razed during the drive. Owner Amjad Khan alleged that despite possessing valid permissions under the Gunthewari regularisation scheme, his structure was unlawfully demolished. "Despite showing them the regularisation permission documents, the squad demolished my shop. I have suffered huge financial losses," Khan told TOI, claiming losses exceeding Rs 20 lakh in a written complaint to municipal commissioner Amol Yedage.
Patel's counsel, advocate Abhaysinh Bhosle, called the action "contempt of court", citing assurances given before the Bombay high court's Aurangabad bench just a day earlier. "The civic body had made a statement before the high court on Tuesday that it would not take any action till the next date of hearing. Despite this, the demolition was carried out. We will seek action against the civic body and its officials," Bhosle said. The high court had heard Patel's plea challenging the demolition notices on Tuesday and posted the matter for May 18.
The civic action has since snowballed into a political flashpoint. Jaleel alleged the demolition was a diversionary tactic linked to an ongoing criminal case under investigation by the Nashik and Ahilyanagar police, and questioned the authorities' "selective targeting". He also submitted documents to the civic chief alleging inaction against BJP corporators facing similar notices. District guardian minister Sanjay Shirsat hit back by criticising Jaleel. Jaleel retaliated, accusing Shirsat of settling personal scores over alleged exposés related to land and hotel project dealings.
With tempers rising and legal questions looming, the demolition has left both rubble on the ground and deepening fault lines in the city's political landscape.
