New Delhi: In a case that appears to resemble the Adarsh Housing Society scam, Indian Navy authorities have issued no objection certificates to private builders in Mumbai for constructing a 35-storey building in clear violation of the defence ministry’s rule for constructions around military land.

In this regard, the defence ministry has received multiple complaints which are being looked into; but strangely, so far, it has not initiated any action against the officials concerned who have given the clearance for such projects.

According to the details of the case accessed by MyNation, on March 9, 2017, the Indian Navy’s Western Naval Command in Colaba issued a no objection certificate to a private building company known as Runwal Constructions to construct a 35-storey building on a piece of land just 60 metres from an important naval establishment on Kanjur Marg in Mumbai.

The NOC is in violation of the defence ministry guidelines issued in 2011, according to which, for construction up to 100 metres of a defence establishment, permission can be given only for four-storeyed buildings.

For multi-storeyed buildings of more than four levels, the construction is supposed to take place at more than 500 metres away from a defence land.

According to the complaints received by the defence ministry, based on the NOC issued to Runwal Constructions, another NOC was issued to another private builder for constructing a 15-storey building in Bhandup, which is also under the scanner of the ministry.

When the Navy was contacted for reaction by MyNation over the alleged violation of rules by the force and its officials, the Navy spokesperson said, “Various NoCs being alleged not to have followed the laid down norms are being deliberated upon by the Hon'ble high court at Mumbai. The Indian Navy is providing all information and clarifications as solicited by the Hon’ble court."

Government officials said the matter was taken to the Bombay high court by another private builder who had sought a NOC for the construction of a building on a piece of land next to the naval establishment in Kanjur Marg.

In the Adarsh Housing Society scam, NOCs were issued for the construction of a 31-storey building right next to a sensitive military installation in Colaba, in violation of all rules and regulations. The scam had rocked the Congress in the state and the then chief minister had to resign from his post.