Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed a former BMC corporator, who sought demolition of an illegal construction in Khar (W), to reply stating what he did during his tenure in respect of illegal constructions.
“When you were a corporator, what did you do? How many actions did you take against illegal constructions?” asked Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre. They were hearing a PIL by Shrikrishna alias Bala Chavan, who is now a Shiv Sena UBT leader. He was the local corporator and chairman of BMC’s ward committee.
Chavan cited BMC inaction concerning a ground plus three-floor building near SNDT nallah pumping station on a 20,000 sq feet govt land at Madhapada, Khar Danda. He urged the HC to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct an investigation and take action against H (W) ward officials, including assistant commissioner Milind Kadam, and a businessman, Rohit Tilekar, who “raised the illegal and unauthorised construction” and to direct its demolition.
His petition said the plot was meant for a dry waste collection centre, and BMC spent huge amounts on the removal of debris and garbage that used to be dumped on the site. On April 29, 2024, BMC issued a stop work notice under Section 354 A of the BMC Act and followed it with a reasoned order on May 2, 2024. His petition said on May 4, 2024, BMC demolished the construction, but it was reconstructed within days. Thereafter, it was demolished twice, but it was erected again.
The judges questioned Chavan’s advocate about what his client did as a corporator about illegal constructions and actions taken by him. “Suddenly you realise that there is mushrooming of illegal construction,” said Justice Dangre.
Chavan’s advocate said he raised questions in the civic body meetings. The judges also took note of the timing of the PIL’s filing ahead of the impending BMC elections. “We understand that the corporation is in election mode and you may be in a hurry,” the Chief Justice said. As Chavan’s advocate sought time to file a reply, the judges adjourned the hearing to Feb 25.
Mumbai: Bombay High Court on Tuesday directed a former BMC corporator, who sought demolition of an illegal construction in Khar (W), to reply stating what he did during his tenure in respect of illegal constructions.
“When you were a corporator, what did you do? How many actions did you take against illegal constructions?” asked Chief Justice Alok Aradhe and Justice Bharati Dangre. They were hearing a PIL by Shrikrishna alias Bala Chavan, who is now a Shiv Sena UBT leader. He was the local corporator and chairman of BMC’s ward committee.
Chavan cited BMC inaction concerning a ground plus three-floor building near SNDT nallah pumping station on a 20,000 sq feet govt land at Madhapada, Khar Danda. He urged the HC to constitute a special investigation team (SIT) to conduct an investigation and take action against H (W) ward officials, including assistant commissioner Milind Kadam, and a businessman, Rohit Tilekar, who “raised the illegal and unauthorised construction” and to direct its demolition.
His petition said the plot was meant for a dry waste collection centre, and BMC spent huge amounts on the removal of debris and garbage that used to be dumped on the site. On April 29, 2024, BMC issued a stop work notice under Section 354 A of the BMC Act and followed it with a reasoned order on May 2, 2024. His petition said on May 4, 2024, BMC demolished the construction, but it was reconstructed within days. Thereafter, it was demolished twice, but it was erected again.
The judges questioned Chavan’s advocate about what his client did as a corporator about illegal constructions and actions taken by him. “Suddenly you realise that there is mushrooming of illegal construction,” said Justice Dangre.
Chavan’s advocate said he raised questions in the BMC house. The judges also took note of the timing of the filing of the PIL as BMC elections were due. “We understand that the corporation is in election mode and you may be in a hurry,” the Chief Justice said. As Chavan’s advocate sought time to file a reply, the judges adjourned the hearing to Feb 25.