A shocking revelation from a Right to Information (RTI) query by activist Jeetendra Ghadge has laid bare the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) blatant obstruction of anti-corruption efforts. Out of 411 corruption complaints forwarded to the BMC for sanction under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act (PCA) since its 2018 amendment, the civic body has refused sanction in a staggering 407 cases. This refusal prevents the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) from even initiating preliminary inquiries, raising serious questions about the BMC’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The RTI, filed with the BMC’s enquiry department, reveals a troubling pattern: in two cases, the BMC returned complaints to the ACB citing non-compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), while two others remain pending. Not a single case has received sanction, effectively shielding BMC officers from scrutiny. This comes at a time when Mumbai grapples with rampant corruption and irregularities in civic contracts, eroding public trust in India’s largest municipal body.
Section 17A, introduced in July 2018 to protect honest public servants from frivolous investigations, mandates prior approval from competent authorities before probing alleged corruption. However, the BMC’s total refusal to grant sanctions suggests a deliberate misuse of this provision to protect corrupt officials.
According to activist Jeetendra Ghadge of The Young whistleblowers Foundation, who uncovered these figures, condemned the BMC’s actions, stating, “The BMC’s high command is shielding its officers, rendering the ACB toothless. This is a mockery of anti-corruption laws. If an officer is transparent and honest, there should be no objection to facing a preliminary enquiry — it is not even an FIR. However, the refusal to allow such an enquiry raises serious questions about the intent and integrity of the BMC.” ”
The BMC’s track record paints a grim picture. In 2024, RTI revealed that 96 suspended employees, including 19 with criminal cases and 77 booked under the PCA, were reinstated without facing prosecution, further highlighting a culture of impunity. Recent cases underscore the scale of corruption:
1. ₹65 Crore Mithi River Desilting Scam
- Investigating Agency: Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Mumbai
- Key Findings:
- 13 individuals—including senior BMC engineers and contractors—booked in an FIR.
- Contractors overbilled silt removal rates; in some cases paying for fictitious silt movement or for dumps on non-existent lands.
- Luxury flights, hotel stays, and bribes allegedly exchanged.
- Investigation expanded to cover operations since 2006, with estimated scam value exceeding ₹65 crore.
2. ₹100 Crore E-Tendering Scam
- Departmental Inquiry Outcome (2019):
- 63 BMC officials indicted, including Assistant Municipal Commissioner, Executive Engineers, Sub-Engineers.
- Official ID misuse helped favored contractors bag ward-level projects.
- Punishments included salary stoppage, increment freeze, and pension recovery.
3. COVID-19 “Khichdi Scam”
- By: Economic Offences Wing (EOW), Mumbai
- Allegations:
- BMC handed COVID relief food contracts worth ₹6.7 crore to unqualified firms close to political figures.
- ED raids uncovered improper awarding of contracts and inflated procurement costs.
4. Road Work Scam (₹352 Crore)
- HR for Road Repairs via BMC:
- Multiple road projects found to be substandard and overpriced.
- At least 22 BMC officials and auditors arrested in 2016.
- Contractors blacklisted for manipulation in tendering; joint engineers colluded to inflate project costs.
5. Cash-for-Jobs Scam
- FIRS Filed (2020):
- Four BMC officials booked for facilitating fraudulent appointments of sweeping staff in exchange for bribes.
- Scheme extended to multiple wards; involved forged documents and misuse of CO compassionate hiring provision.
6. Sanitation Inspector Job Scam (1991–94)
- Investigation (2023):
- Eight individuals appointed as junior sanitation inspectors using fake diploma certificates.
- One suspect arrested; others booked under cheating, forgery, and breach of trust offenses.