THANE, June 25 -- The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has suspended the former assistant municipal commissioner of Diva, Faruk Shaikh, after the Bombay high court took notice of the serious allegations against him in connection with the illegal constructions in Diva and Mumbra. A writ petition filed in the court by Feroz Badruddin Khan of Mumbra had accused Shaikh of protecting unauthorised constructions in exchange for bribe during his tenure. The judges said that they cannot overlook such serious statements made on oath and ordered the TMC commissioner to undertake a preliminary inquiry into the allegations and consider initiating criminal proceedings. "Such allegation against the officer and his accomplice prima facie amounts to an allegation of an offence being committed under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, or other relevant laws," the judges said. The court order dated June 19, 2025, refers to the petition that states: "Mr. Faruk Shaikh, assistant municipal commissioner, Diva ward, is sheltering illegal and unauthorised constructions at village Shil, Survey No. 160. He has fixed a chart of corruption for such construction and is charging Rs.200 per sq ft through his associate." Pursuant to the high court's order, TMC commissioner Saurabh Rao issued the suspension order, citing "irregularities" during Shaikh's term from May 2022 to February 2023. The TMC order reads: "Considering the gravity of the allegations and the serious statements made under oath before the hon'ble court, disciplinary action against Mr. Faruk Shaikh, the then assistant commissioner and designated officer, has become necessary in connection with irregularities in action against unauthorised constructions in Diva." The suspension was ordered under Rule 4(1) (a) of the Maharashtra Civil Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1979. The order further states, "Mr. Faruk Shaikh, legal assistant, is hereby suspended from service with immediate effect. He shall remain stationed at the TMC administrative headquarters and shall not leave headquarters without prior permission." It also warns that as per service conduct rules, Shaikh is prohibited from taking any private employment or running any business during the suspension period....