TCS Nashik case: AIMIM corporator’s home and office razed, house where woman staffer stayed also demolished

CHHATRAPATI SAMBHAJINAGAR: In an operation that has sparked political uproar and local resentment, the civic body here demolished the house and office of AIMIM corporator Mateen Patel in Naregaon in connection with the TCS sexual harassment and religious coercion case on Wednesday. Another house, allegedly used for 5 days by a TCS staffer before her arrest, was also razed.The demolition drive began around 6.15am under tight security, with 105 cops, including three ACPs and five inspectors, deployed as nearly 100 civic staffers, aided by 10 JCBs, Hywa trucks and emergency services, moved in to flatten the structures. Calling it “injustice”, AIMIM state chief Imtiaz Jaleel announced a crowdfunding campaign to rebuild Patel’s house and office.The demolition of Mateen Patel’s office and house sparked a bitter war of words between AIMIM workers and members of the ruling parties.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. Police, however, intervened and prevented them from garlanding demolition chief Santosh Wahule.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 Bombay HC’s Aurangabad bench just a day earlier. “The civic body had made a statement before HC on Tuesday 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.Jaleel alleged the demolition was a diversionary tactic linked to an ongoing criminal case under investigation by Nashik and Ahilyanagar police, and questioned the authorities’ “selective targeting”.