‘Illegal’ structures razed at properties of AIMIM leader accused of sheltering TCS case accused

The Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation on Wednesday (May 13, 2026) demolished alleged illegal constructions at the residence and other properties of AIMIM corporator Matin Patel, booked for harbouring Nashik TCS accused Nida Khan, officials said.

Ms. Khan was arrested in central Maharashtra’s Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar on May 7, with police claiming that All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader Mr. Patel provided her shelter.

On May 9, the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation issued a notice to Mr. Patel over alleged illegal constructions in the city’s Naregaon area, seeking a clarification from him within 72 hours. If no reply is received from Mr. Patel, the corporation has the authority to decide the property’s fate, the notice said.

Mr. Patel later moved the court seeking a stay in the matter, but it was not granted. On Wednesday (May 13, 2026) morning, the civic body personnel demolished illegal constructions at Mr. Patel’s house, office and some shops under police security, Mayor Sameer Rajurkar told PTI.

Earlier, on Tuesday (May 12) night, former AIMIM MP Imtiaz Jaleel met Patel’s family in Naregaon, criticising the civic body’s “haste”.

“We sought a week from the court, but the municipal corporation is in a hurry to demolish the constructions. It is a crucial time for all of us, but after demolition, we will build a house for Matin and his family that the country will see,” Mr. Jaleel said, addressing supporters after the meeting.

Mayor Rajurkar on Monday (May 11) said the process of cancelling the corporatorship of Mr. Patel will be undertaken after documents related to his property are verified.

“If Mr. Patel has indulged in illegalities, his membership of the civic body should be cancelled. Action has been initiated under the Maharashtra Municipal Corporation Act, which clearly states that no information should be hidden when the nomination form for civic polls is filed,” he had said.

Nida Khan is accused in a case related to alleged religious conversion and sexual harassment of some women colleagues at a Nashik unit of TCS. Mr. Patel has been named as an accused in the case for providing refuge to Khan.

A Special Investigation Team (SIT) of the Nashik police is probing nine cases of molestation and harassment at the IT major’s Nashik unit.

TCS has clarified that it has adopted a zero-tolerance policy towards harassment and coercion of any form for a long time, and the employees allegedly involved in sexual harassment at the Nashik office have been suspended.