By Rajiv Ranjan Singh

The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Mumbai Police has recently arrested Sandeep Babulal Gada, a 39-year-old furniture and plywood trader, in connection with a Rs 50-crore land scam involving forged transactions and fake documents.

Gada is accused of playing a key role in fabricating forged papers and facilitating illicit land deals. He allegedly obtained illegal construction permits using counterfeit documents, and investigators have uncovered evidence of land in Valnai village, Borivali, being acquired through fake documents.

The EOW has also exposed connections between the scam and several companies and individuals, including shareholders of Mural Builders and Developers. The accused have been booked under various sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023, including abetment, cheating, forgery, and conspiracy. 

In another case, the EOW probed a Rs 100-crore housing fraud involving real estate developer Subbaraman Anand Vilaynur, who allegedly collected money from 102 persons for a housing project in Wadala, Mumbai, but diverted the funds for personal use.

The EOW has been actively investigating various high-profile cases, including land scams and financial frauds, and highlight its efforts to bring perpetrators to justice.

The Election Commission of India (ECI) has received several complaints from political parties in West Bengal against Booth Level Officers (BLOs) for distributing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) enumeration forms at tea stalls, street corners, local clubs, and schools—violating official guidelines.

Reports suggested that people were seen rushing to street corners to collect their forms. The state’s Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) reportedly faced embarrassment as these irregularities came to light.

Poll body issues warning

After receiving multiple complaints, the ECI issued a strict advisory to senior poll officers, reminding them to follow the official rules of form distribution. BLOs were instructed that enumeration forms must be delivered only by visiting voters’ homes. The poll body cautioned that the practice of distributing forms in public places was unacceptable.

District Magistrates (DMs) were also told to remain extra vigilant and warned of disciplinary action if further negligence was observed.

‘Follow the Bihar model’

The ECI directed BLOs to follow the “Bihar model” — where officers personally deliver the enumeration forms at voters’ homes, explain the process, and clear any doubts. Additionally, the Commission ordered district-level control rooms to be set up for supervision, with one BLO supervisor assigned for every ten booths.

The ECI reiterated that these measures aim to ensure fair and transparent voter list revisions, and warned of action against those failing to comply.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju announced on Saturday that the winter session of Parliament will take place from December 1 to December 19, following the approval of President Droupadi Murmu. He expressed hope for a “constructive and meaningful” session aimed at strengthening democracy and addressing citizens’ aspirations.

This year’s winter session will be among the shortest since 2014, with the government planning to table significant bills, including the 129th Constitutional Amendment Bill, which proposes simultaneous elections for the Lok Sabha and state assemblies, and the 130th Constitutional Amendment Bill, aimed at removing ministers convicted and jailed for 30 days or more.

In addition, the Jan Vishwas Bill and Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code Bill are expected to be taken up for consideration.

Meanwhile, Opposition parties are likely to voice strong protests over the Election Commission’s pan-India Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, a move they claim could impact voter inclusivity.

The previous winter session, held between November 25 and December 20, 2024, recorded 20 Lok Sabha sittings and 19 Rajya Sabha sittings, with productivity levels of 54.5% and 40% respectively. During that period, five bills were introduced in the Lok Sabha, of which four were passed; the Rajya Sabha cleared three.

In the monsoon session earlier this year, Parliament witnessed repeated disruptions, with Lok Sabha functioning for only 37 hours and Rajya Sabha for about 41 hours. Despite the low productivity, 15 bills were passed by both Houses, while one — the Income Tax Bill, 2025 — was withdrawn. A two-day discussion on Operation Sindoor, India’s military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, also took place, engaging over 130 MPs.