India, Aug. 21 -- Former Vasai Virar City Municipal Corporation (VVCMC) commissioner Anil Pawar - arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with its money laundering probe into the construction of 41 illegal, now-demolished buildings in Vasai East - had approved building plans measuring 55 million square feet during his tenure in lieu of bribes levied at fixed rates, agency sources familiar with the probe told Hindustan Times. Pawar allegedly indulged in such activities in connivance with the former VVCMC deputy director of town planning, YS Reddy, the sources said.

Rampant illegal, unauthorised construction within VVCMC limits was one of the reasons why water accumulated on the railway tracks and affected local train se...