India, July 31 -- Enforcement Directorate (ED) sources on Wednesday claimed that former Vasai-Virar city municipal corporation (VVCMC) commissioner Anil Pawar, an IAS officer, was responsible for organising an alleged 'cartel' of civic officers, architects, chartered accountants and intermediaries which set in motion the large-scale illegal constructions in the region.

The ED sources' claims came a day after its Mumbai unit conducted searches at 12 locations in Mumbai, Pune and Nashik, at the homes of Pawar and his relatives and associates, with one search allegedly yielding Rs.1.33 crore in cash. The ED action was part of its investigation into the construction of 41 illegal buildings in Vasai East, which were demolished as per court or...