Bhiwandi, Feb 14: In a dramatic development just days before the crucial mayoral election of the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation (BNCMC), former Mayor and Konark Vikas Aghadi leader Vilas Patil was arrested late Friday night by the Thane Economic Offences Wing (EOW) in connection with an alleged financial fraud case.
Patil was produced before the Bhiwandi court on Saturday and remanded to four days’ police custody until February 18. The timing of the arrest — barely two days before the February 16 nomination process for the mayoral post — has triggered sharp political reactions, with his legal team alleging that the action is “politically motivated and aimed at preventing him from filing his nomination.”
Defence alleges political vendetta
Advocate Narayan V Iyer, representing Patil, termed the arrest illegal and claimed it was executed under pressure to keep his client out of the mayoral race. “This is a 2025 case rooted in a complaint originally filed in 2021 at Nizampur Police Station. The matter was transferred to the EOW, and when the complainant approached the High Court alleging inaction, the court observed that it was essentially a civil dispute. The proceedings were quashed in 2021,” Iyer stated.
According to the defence, the complainant later registered a fresh FIR in 2025 under Section 420 (cheating) at Nizampur Police Station naming only developer Navalkishor Soni. The case was again handed over to the EOW. However, despite Patil not being named in the FIR, he was arrested around late night on Friday.
Iyer and Thane-based advocate Rajan Salunke argued before the court that the arrest was strategically timed to block Patil from filing his nomination.
They have sought court permission to allow him to file nomination papers on February 16 despite being in custody. The court has scheduled a hearing on that plea and sought responses from the police and the prosecution. “This is essentially a dispute between company directors. There is no element of criminal cheating. My client has been dragged into this case as part of a political conspiracy to derail his mayoral bid,” Iyer asserted.
The allegations: A business dispute turns criminal
The case stems from a complaint filed on June 19, 2025, by construction businessman Brijesh Pratap Singh against developer Navalkishor Lalchand Soni, director of M/s Sumit Property Developers Pvt Ltd.
As per the FIR, Singh was introduced to Soni by CA Ashish Kanodia. Soni allegedly persuaded Singh to invest in a proposed residential project on land parcels in Mauje Pogaon, Bhiwandi, comprising Survey Nos. 81/6, 104/1, 104/2 (7043 sq m) and 99, 16, 17, 24 (6111 sq m). On September 25, 2014, Singh deposited Rs 1 crore from his Janata Sahakari Bank account into the company’s HDFC Bank account and was inducted as a director.
The FIR states that although Singh invested funds and signed board resolutions, he was not made an authorised signatory to the company’s bank account, which remained under the control of Soni and his wife Kusum Soni.
Subsequently, the company mortgaged the Pogaon land to Union Bank of India’s Naupada branch in Thane to secure a Rs 15 crore cash credit facility in the name of M/s Poorvi Metals Pvt Ltd, another company linked to the parties. Singh has alleged that funds were diverted and that he and his company were cheated.
Notably, Survey No. 81/6 measuring 1,726 sq m was reportedly sold to former Mayor Patil’s wife, former Mayor Pratibha Patil, for Rs 1.08 crore. The complainant claims that Soni first received funds in the name of Sumit Property Developers and later transferred the amount to his private firm, Shri Radhe Realtors Pvt Ltd.
Political storm before crucial vote
The arrest has intensified political tensions within BNCMC, where the mayoral election is already poised for a high-stakes contest. With alliances shifting and numbers delicately balanced, Patil’s custodial status could significantly alter the arithmetic ahead of the leadership vote.
While the EOW has not officially commented on the political implications, sources indicate that the investigation is ongoing and further action may follow based on financial scrutiny.
For now, the spotlight remains firmly on the courtroom as Patil’s legal team battles for interim relief that could allow him to participate in the mayoral race. Whether the arrest reshapes the power dynamics within BNCMC will likely become clear in the coming days.
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Protests break out after Patil’s arrest
Following the arrest of former Mayor Vilas Patil, workers of the Shiv Sena (Shinde faction) staged protests in Bhadwad, Temghar and Navi Basti. Party leaders urged traders to shut shops in protest, and several establishments along Kalyan Road briefly remained closed.
While police insist the action was purely based on legal evidence, Patil’s supporters have alleged political timing ahead of the mayoral election of the Bhiwandi Nizampur City Municipal Corporation, escalating tensions in the city.
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