Locals have started stealing items from MehulChoksi’s Alibaug bungalow

NAVI MUMBAI: Interest in Mehul Choksi ’s Alibaug beach house has peaked locally ever since it shot into news because of its imminent destruction.Built on a four-acre plot in Awas village, the fugitive jeweller’s bungalow, attached by the Punjab National Bank in the fraud case against him, is on a list of 160 illegal beach properties in Alibaug.Armed with this knowledge, thieves have started targeting the mostly unmanned Choksi retreat, which is replete with expensive furniture and artefacts. The 10,000 sq ft bungalow has more than 10 rooms fitted with over 20 ACs.The roomscontain imported teak furniture and other items. “People are entering the property and decamping with articles,” said an Awas villager.“In his good times, Mehul Choksi and his friends used to come here. He would throw lavish parties for them. His staff would come with all the required material and cook food. Back then, local caretakers were asked to stay put in the servant quarters.”After the PNB scam was unearthed, many items from the bungalow were carted away in a vehicle by one of Choksi’s managers, the villager said. “Still, the bungalow has many items of value. The authorities must guard the property to protect those from theft.” An ED official visited the bungalow sometime ago to take stock of the items and made a panchnama.“Since then, no official has visited,” the villager said. A Raigad revenue department official said, “It is for the ED or the PNB to decide how to protect the bungalow’s items.” The property has over 70 coconut and 20 mango trees. There are also three cows, which are looked after by a local, who is not always present on the property.