Shah Rukh Khan’s mother-in-law Savita Chhiba's firm fined Rs 3 crore over farmhouse
Alibaug bungalow
Collector’s notice to Déjà Vu Farms Pvt Ltd says original farmhouse at Alibaug was razed and a swank bungalow, swimming pool and helipad were built on land meant for agriculture.
Déjà Vu Farms Private Limited , which counts as its directors superstar Shah Rukh Khan ’s mother-in-law Savita Chhiba and sister-in-law Namita Chhiba, has been fined Rs 3.09 crore over one of its properties, a farmhouse with a lavish bungalow at Thal in Alibaug, for violations of the Bombay Tenancy Act . Built in 2008, the bungalow has hosted several Bollywood parties, including one for SRK ’s 52nd birthday in 2018 that was attended by the who’s who of Bollywood. The farmhouse covers 1.3 hectares and also has a swimming pool and helipad.
Déjà Vu Farms was first issued a notice over the bungalow on January 29, 2018 by then collector Vijay Suryavanshi. The notice said after the plot was bought, the then additional collector of Raigad had permitted agricultural activity on it on May 13, 2005. However, it added, the original farmhouse was demolished and new structures came up in its place, in violation of Section 63 of the Bombay Tenancy Act. It asked the directors why action should not be taken against them for this and called them for a hearing on February 14, 2018. There were a few hearings on the matter, and on January 20, 2020, the collected issued an order – of copy of which is with Mirror – saying that there was a violation and that Rs 3.09 crore should be deposited with the government as a penalty.
“Yes, I issued an order of penalty of more than Rs 3 crore on the bungalow owner,” said Suryawanshi, who is now commissioner of Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation. After the money is deposited, the transfer of the property will be deemed legal but action under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and the Maharashtra Regional Town planning Act will continue.
Untitled Carousel
Strangely, the penalty order was issued in the name of Moreshwar Ajgaonkar, one of Déjà Vu’s former directors. Ajgaonkar was director from December 30, 2004 to October 1, 2011 and Ramesh Chander Chhiba from December 30, 2004 to March 1, 2016. The present directors are Savita Chhiba (since December 30, 2004) and Namita Chhiba (since October 1, 2011).
Namita Chhiba could not be reached for comment. Her lawyer Sandeep Shinde said he was unable to comment because of a privacy clause. He said he was yet to receive the official copy of the order. Suryavanshi said, “The order was issued in the name of Ajgaonkar and was sent to the address mentioned in the case papers. I am not aware whether the fine has been paid or not.”
Activist Surendra Dhavale, who has been crusading against bungalows that allegedly violate coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) rules in Alibag, said, “[ Déjà Vu] took permission from the additional collector [to use the land] for agricultural purposes. But there was no agriculture done. A sprawling bungalow came up in 2007-08 and they were issued a showcause notice in 2018. The directors said they planted coconut trees and earned income. Since there was no satisfactory reply, the collector passed an order imposing a penalty. But there is no provision for a penalty under Section 84CC of the Bombay Tenancy Act, only a provision to take over the land. I am going to challenge this in the high court. Besides, this bungalow falls in the CRZ notification of the Environment Protection Act and I am fighting this matter in the high court.”
Déjà Vu Farms was first issued a notice over the bungalow on January 29, 2018 by then collector Vijay Suryavanshi. The notice said after the plot was bought, the then additional collector of Raigad had permitted agricultural activity on it on May 13, 2005. However, it added, the original farmhouse was demolished and new structures came up in its place, in violation of Section 63 of the Bombay Tenancy Act. It asked the directors why action should not be taken against them for this and called them for a hearing on February 14, 2018. There were a few hearings on the matter, and on January 20, 2020, the collected issued an order – of copy of which is with Mirror – saying that there was a violation and that Rs 3.09 crore should be deposited with the government as a penalty.
“Yes, I issued an order of penalty of more than Rs 3 crore on the bungalow owner,” said Suryawanshi, who is now commissioner of Kalyan Dombivali Municipal Corporation. After the money is deposited, the transfer of the property will be deemed legal but action under the Maharashtra Land Revenue Code and the Maharashtra Regional Town planning Act will continue.
The Alibaug bungalow has hosted several parties, including one for SRK’s 52nd birthday in 2018
Strangely, the penalty order was issued in the name of Moreshwar Ajgaonkar, one of Déjà Vu’s former directors. Ajgaonkar was director from December 30, 2004 to October 1, 2011 and Ramesh Chander Chhiba from December 30, 2004 to March 1, 2016. The present directors are Savita Chhiba (since December 30, 2004) and Namita Chhiba (since October 1, 2011).
Namita Chhiba could not be reached for comment. Her lawyer Sandeep Shinde said he was unable to comment because of a privacy clause. He said he was yet to receive the official copy of the order. Suryavanshi said, “The order was issued in the name of Ajgaonkar and was sent to the address mentioned in the case papers. I am not aware whether the fine has been paid or not.”
Activist Surendra Dhavale, who has been crusading against bungalows that allegedly violate coastal regulatory zone (CRZ) rules in Alibag, said, “[ Déjà Vu] took permission from the additional collector [to use the land] for agricultural purposes. But there was no agriculture done. A sprawling bungalow came up in 2007-08 and they were issued a showcause notice in 2018. The directors said they planted coconut trees and earned income. Since there was no satisfactory reply, the collector passed an order imposing a penalty. But there is no provision for a penalty under Section 84CC of the Bombay Tenancy Act, only a provision to take over the land. I am going to challenge this in the high court. Besides, this bungalow falls in the CRZ notification of the Environment Protection Act and I am fighting this matter in the high court.”
