Authorities begin razing Nirav Modi's Alibaug bungalow

The demolition of the illegal bungalow of fugitive diamantaire Nirav Modi in the coastal Raigad district of Maharashtra commenced on Friday.

The bungalow is located off the Kihim beach in Alibaug, Raigad, nearly 100 km from Mumbai.

Alibaug's sub-divisional officer Sharada Powar is overseeing the process of demolition of bungalow located in a green stretch near the Kihim beach.

The demolition work is being undertaken in the wake of the Bombay High Court order in response to a PIL filed by Shamburaje Yuva Kranti, an NGO, which had sought action against illegal bungalows in the Raigad district.

Several bungalows located in the region violate the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) norms.

The bungalow of Nirav Modi is spread over 33,000 sq ft and is a ground-plus-one structure. According to Surendra Dhavale, who heads Shamburaje Yuva Kranti, the claimed value of bungalow is Rs 13 crore though the market value is estimated to be several times more.

Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi is wanted for defrauding the Punjab National Bank to the tune of Rs 13,700 crore.