KDMC Suspends Ward 1/A Assistant Commissioner Over Illegal Chawls in Titwala
The Kalyan-Dombivli Municipal Corporation (KDMC) has suspended Jaywant Chaudhary, the Assistant Commissioner and designated officer of Ward 1/A, over allegations of negligence and failure to act against rampant unauthorised constructions in the Titwala-Balyani belt. The suspension order, issued on August 20, 2026, followed a direct field inspection of Titwala-Balyani and adjoining areas by Municipal Commissioner Abhinav Goel on Thursday.
The disciplinary action relates to an issue previously raised in the Maharashtra Legislative Council concerning the alleged construction of roughly 1,000 illegal chawls by land mafias in the Titwala-Ambivli region. The municipal order noted widespread unauthorised construction across both private and government land in localities including Wadvali, Mohane, Balyani, Umbarni, and Manda.
According to the civic administration, builders actively marketed these illegal chawls on social media platforms. In some instances, individual chawls were divided into approximately 10 rooms, each offered for around Rs 6 lakh. The properties lacked basic civic amenities, such as water supply, drainage, and roads, yet continued to draw buyers through promotional activities. The administration alleged that ward officials knew about the ongoing activity but overlooked the unauthorised developments due to economic interests.
Chaudhary was tasked with regulating unauthorised structures and initiating demolitions in Ward 1/A under municipal regulations and directions from the Bombay High Court issued in Public Interest Litigation No. 24 of 2020 on January 24, 2024. Despite oral and written directives from senior officials and a prior show-cause notice issued to him in June 2026, shortcomings in enforcement persisted.
The suspension order invoked Section 56(1)(b) of the Maharashtra Municipal Corporations Act, alleging that Chaudhary directly or indirectly shielded unauthorised constructions, breached office discipline, and violated court directives and senior instructions.
Following Chaudhary's suspension, the civic body handed over the additional charge of Ward 1/A to Superintendent Anita Rathod with immediate effect. The administration also cautioned that any attempt to bring political pressure regarding the transfer or cancellation of additional charge would attract disciplinary action under Rule 23 of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Conduct) Rules, 1979.
