The Juhu Galli Slum Redevelopment project, a critical housing initiative intended to provide homes for over 5,000 poor families, including cleaners, was mired in controversy and corruption for nearly 15 years, largely due to the Congress party’s alleged mismanagement and corrupt practices. Originally proposed in 2002-2003, this project was aimed at transforming the living conditions of Mumbai’s marginalised slum dwellers, but instead became a symbol of political graft and stalled development, until the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government intervened.
Genesis of the Scam: Congress’s Role
The saga began with a valuable plot of land in Juhu, Mumbai, handed over by the Congress government in 2009 to Darshan Builders for Slum Redevelopment. The project, which had high social significance, quickly became a playground for corrupt Congress leaders who prioritised personal gain over public welfare. Two key Congress figures, Amin Patel and Mohsin Haider, the latter notorious for maintaining different names on various identity documents, spearheaded the project for their benefit.
A valuable plot in Juhu, Mumbai was given to Darshan Builders by Congress in 2009 for Slum Redevelopment. Congress leaders Amin Patel & Mohsin Haider (famous for having different names on different IDs) led this for personal benefit. Of course in Congress style no work actually… pic.twitter.com/kPVXrCdkXm
— Eminent Intellectual (@total_woke_) September 24, 2025
Amin Patel, who was a sitting MLA and promoter of Grace United Pvt. Ltd., played a pivotal role in transferring the land for a reported Rs 75 crore in 2008 to Darshan Developers. This transaction was the first major red flag, indicating an undercurrent of questionable dealings. Adding to the murkiness, Congress corporator Abdul Aziz Barudgar facilitated the transfer of societies within the redevelopment project to Darshan Developers for Rs 34 crore, deepening the web of personal enrichment.
The corruption didn’t stop there. Mohsin Haider, another Congress corporator, allegedly received flats from Slum Redevelopment Authority (SRA) developers at a nominal cost of just Rs 5 lakh, clearly a barter deal that raised eyebrows and highlighted the nexus between politicians and developers. These arrangements ensured that the Congress leadership and their associates profited handsomely while the project languished.
Despite the promising start, no meaningful construction or redevelopment work took place for over a decade. Congress’s stalling tactics ensured the slum dwellers continued to live in substandard conditions, deprived of the housing promised to them. This delay was not only a failure of governance but a glaring example of how political corruption can directly harm vulnerable communities.
Collapse of Darshan Builders and Major Scams
The project eventually fell into even deeper trouble when the promoters of Darshan Builders, Dheeraj and Kapil Wadhawan, came under scrutiny. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) arrested the Wadhawan brothers on charges related to a massive fraud worth nearly Rs 7,000 crore, one of the largest financial scams associated with real estate in recent times. This scandal not only exposed the financial malpractices but also underscored the complicity of certain political leaders who had allowed such entities to flourish under their protection.
BJP Government’s Intervention in 2025
After years of inaction and mismanagement, the BJP government took decisive steps in 2025 by reclaiming the land from Darshan Builders and the associated fraudulent network. The new administration has launched a fresh redevelopment initiative that promises to provide homes to over 5,000 poor families, including the often overlooked community of cleaners who play a vital role in the city’s ecosystem. This move has been widely welcomed by residents and civil society groups alike, who see it as a long-overdue step towards justice and equitable development. The BJP’s intervention is framed as a corrective measure against years of Congress-led corruption that stalled progress and allowed vested interests to profit at the expense of the poor.
The Juhu Galli Slum Redevelopment saga serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of corruption and the vital need for transparent governance. While Congress’s decade-and-a-half-long misrule stalled one of Mumbai’s key slum redevelopment projects, the BJP government’s recent intervention marks a hopeful new chapter.
For the thousands of slum dwellers and cleaners awaiting better living conditions, this project is not just a construction plan, it is a promise of dignity, security, and a chance to rebuild their lives after years of neglect. It is high time that political parties prioritise public welfare over personal gains and work towards inclusive development for all.
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