Bombay HC chides BMC chief Pardeshi over negligence

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Monday pulled up municipal commissioner Praveen Pardeshi, asking him what did the civic body do after the December 2017 Kamala Mills fire and whether it has learnt anything from the incident.

The court’s comments came after Mr Pardeshi admitted that the corporation is powerless when it comes to shutting illegal restaurants.

Stating that only penalties can be imposed on such eateries, he said that the corporation would request the state government to make changes in the Bombay Municipal Corporation Act so that action can be taken against illegal restaurants.

The BMC also informed the court that as of now it could take action under section 471 of the Act, which empowers the civic body to levy penalties and seize goods. The court directed the BMC to file an affidavit in this regard on Wednesday.

A division bench of Justice S.J. Kathawala and Justice B.P. Colabawala was hearing a petition filed by one Kabita Jalui, the owner of a plot in Thakur Village, Kandivali.

Her petition states that in 2009 she gave the plot on rent to one Mukesh Pujari, who runs a restaurant ‘Amantran’ on it, but the latter refused to vacate the premises after the contract expired. Aggrieved, Ms Jalui approached the small causes court.

Meanwhile, she had come to know that Pujari lacked a licence to run the restaurant. Ms Jalui then filed a complaint with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) but the corporation failed to take action.

Eventually, Ms Jalui filed a writ petition before the high court. During the hearing, the court came to know that BMC officers do not pay attention to the problems of their own department and, hence, directed the BMC commissioner to remain present before it.

The court told Mr Pardeshi that officers don’t give information to BMC counsels on time and many a time, junior advocates represent the BMC, which impacts the functioning of the court.

The BMC counsel had assured the court that this issue would be resolved.

“We have appointed an IAS officer, who is a Harvard graduate, to resolve the issue. All the necessary information would be provided to BMC counsels well in advance,” he said.

Ujjwal Nikam named SPP in case
Following the widespread public anger and outrage across the state after the death of a 25-year-old woman who was set afire by a jilted lover, the state government has appointed renowned lawyer Ujjwal Nikam as special public prosecutor (SPP) in the Hinganghat case in Wardha district.

Chief minister Uddhav Thackeray has assured that the case will be tried in a fast-track court to ensure speedy justice to the victim and her family.

Mr Thackeray said that Mr Nikam, who was the prosecution’s main lawyer in the state versus 26/11 terrorist Ajmal Kasab case, will be the SPP in the Hinganghat case.

“Speedy investigation will be carried out in the case. The accused must be convicted for the cri-me. Investigating agencies will work to ensure that he is punished severely. The concerned government departments will work in coordination to ensure justice to the victim and her family,” he added.

The victim, Ankita Pisudde, a resident of Hinganghat town, was set ablaze allegedly by her stalker Vikesh Nagrale (27) a week ago. The woman died in a Nagpur hospital - where she had been undergoing treatment - Monday morning.

During his career spanning decades, Mr Nikam (66) has handled several high-profile cases like the 1993 Mumbai serial bomb blasts and the murder of film producer Gulshan Kumar.

A special team led by Wardha deputy superintendent of police Trupti Jadhav is handling the case.

Meanwhile, Union minister of state for social justice Ramdas Athawale has demanded that the accused be hung to death so as to do justice to the victim.