BPT Land Scam: Complaint Was Linked To T-Shirt, Hoodies Contract Deal At Maharashtra Police Academy; Accused Used IPS Officer Wife’s Official Vehicle
Mumbai: In a startling revelation during the Economic Offences Wing (EOW)’s investigation into the alleged land scam in BPT (Bombay Port Trust) areas, it has come to light that the complainant in the case had visited the residence of IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar in connection with a deal to secure a T-shirt, hoodies supply contract for the Maharashtra Police Academy, Nasik.
In March 2018, after Complainant gave money to accused Purushottam Chavan, he told that his wife, Rashmi Karandikar, is a visiting faculty member at the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nasik. Police officers are trained there, and a large quantity of khaki T-shirts and hoodies is required for the trainees. He said he would help me secure the contract to supply those items. Since we specialize in supplying such goods, Complainant immediately agreed. Purushottam Chavan asked Complainant to prepare samples of the khaki T-shirts and olive-colored hoodies.
Accordingly, Complainant prepared the samples and delivered them to his government residence located above the Colaba Police Station, where he was living at the time. His wife, Rashmi Karandikar, was present during the visit. She inspected the samples and suggested a few modifications.
The investigation further revealed that the main accused, Chavan, used his IPS officer wife's official government vehicle to travel across BPT areas, allegedly for personal and illegal activities related to the land scam. These findings have raised serious concerns over the misuse of power and government resources in the scam, which promised BPT land at low rates to unsuspecting citizens. The EOW continues its probe into the matter. In BPT Land Scam case, Accused Purushottam Chavan Sent into Police Custody till 24 June by Esplande Court.
Mumbai Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has uncovered a startling twist in the ₹7.42 crore fraud case involving fake promises of Bombay Port Trust (BPT) land allotment and a government contract. The accused allegedly duped six individuals by offering them plots of land in the BPT area at discounted rates and promising a lucrative T-shirt, Hoodies supply contract for the Maharashtra Police Academy.
According to sources, the investigation revealed that one of the key deals—promising the Nashik Police Academy contract—was struck in March 2018 at the residence of IPS officer Rashmi Karandikar, then posted as Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) for the Port Zone and residing in Colaba. Her husband, Purushottam Chavan, is the main accused in the case. He allegedly made the commitment to the complainant at Karandikar’s government residence while she was present.
Chavan reportedly claimed that his wife was a visiting faculty member at the Maharashtra Police Academy in Nashik and that large quantities of khaki T-shirts and olive-colored hoodies were required for police trainees. Based on this promise, the complainant was asked to prepare samples of the apparel, which he later delivered to the DCP's government residence above the Colaba police station.
EOW’s probe further uncovered that Chavan defrauded five other individuals under the pretext of offering them land plots in BPT-controlled zones at throwaway prices. Shockingly, he is believed to have misused his IPS wife’s official Maruti Ertiga police vehicle to gain unauthorized access to restricted BPT areas. The car was allegedly driven by a plainclothes officer, with a uniformed policeman seated up front to avoid suspicion, and Chavan occupying the middle seat.
BPT zones restrict entry of private vehicles, but Chavan used this official police escort to take potential victims on site visits, thereby enhancing the illusion of government backing. He assured the complainants that the land would yield high returns once residential projects were developed.
One of the complainants reportedly handed over ₹57 lakh to Chavan for a plot based on his claims. The investigation is ongoing, and EOW is expected to summon additional witnesses and verify the accused’s links to other fraudulent activities.
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