The Maharashtra government has suspended Assistant Municipal Commissioner Mahesh Patil on Friday after he was named in a cheating case linked to an alleged ₹16.24-crore fraud. According to reports from The Indian Express, the Khar police booked Patil and five others in connection with an alleged investment fraud tied to a redevelopment project in Mumbai. This suspension marks the second controversy involving Patil, who was reportedly sent on compulsory leave for a month in November last year following allegations related to improper investments.
In her complaint filed on May 13, Habiba Jaffrey, wife of actor Jaaved Jaaferi, alleged that she met Patil at a BMC ward office, where he advised her to invest in a redevelopment project in Bandra. As reported by India Today, investors collectively contributed around ₹16.24 crore in cash, foreign currency and jewellery. The accused allegedly provided forged government documents to support the investment proposal. Patil reportedly directed Jaffrey to channel the investment through businessman Nishit Patel, who was arrested last month in connection with the case.
The Crime Branch's Property Cell registered an FIR against Patil and five others at Khar Police Station following Jaaferi's complaint. According to reports from The Indian Express, the case includes serious charges under various provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, including Sections 318(4), 319(2), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2), 341(1), 61(2), and 3(5), which deal with offences such as cheating, forgery, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy. Nishit Patel was arrested last month in connection with the case.
As per an order issued by the BMC's General Administration Department, Patil has been suspended under the provisions of the BMC (Services) Rules, 1989, pending investigation into the criminal case registered against him. The suspension order was issued on Friday and served on June 7, keeping him out of office until the investigation is completed. As part of the suspension process, the BMC has instructed officials to serve the order on Patil, update his service records, and inform the Chief Accountant's Department. The order also mandates the surrender of his official identity card and payment of subsistence allowance in line with service regulations.
