MUMBAI: The BMC has attached DBS Realty‘s 18 buildings in Chandivli to recover tax arrears totalling about Rs 179 crore. The action was part of the municipality’s crackdown against tax defaulters.
The BMC issues property attachment and seizure notices under Section 203 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act to those who evade tax payment. And if the tax is not paid within the prescribed 21 days, auction of the property is initiated, said sources.
According to a BMC official, the 18 buildings are part of an under-construction SRA project of DBS Realty in Sangharshnagar, Chandivli.
“The attachment was carried out after completing all procedures, including hearing the grievances and claims of the developer regarding the property tax bill. These bills are raised on the land once it is found to be in a developable condition. In this case, the tax arrears were pending for several years,” the civic official further said.
The BMC has set a property tax collection target of Rs 6,200 crore for 2024-25, and has managed to collect Rs 4,823 crore in the period from May 26, 2024, to Feb 12, 2025. The municipality needs to collect the remaining Rs 1,377 crore by March 31.
Last year, the BMC had auctioned three cars, including a Honda Accord and a Toyota Camry, belonging to a realtor and recovered about Rs 10 lakh. This amount was adjusted against the outstanding dues of about Rs 14 crore from the realtor. In a previous case, the civic body has even attached a helicopter to recover dues.
Prior to auctioning the property, the BMC has to identify and establish the ownership of the property, or else it may end up in litigation, explained a civic official.
