Can't stop pipeline eviction drive: Bombay HC

Mumbai: The Bombay high court on Monday made it clear that it cannot give a blanket order in favour of slum dwellers who are being evicted from along the Tansa pipeline, merely due to problems which the students staying there would face.

A division bench of Chief Justice Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Congress Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) Arif Naseem Khan. The PIL sought a stay on the demolition drive at and around Tansa pipeline and shifting of slum dwellers till April 2018.

Khan also demanded that these slum dwellers should be shifted within a three-kilometre radius of their present residents. Other petitioners stated in the petition that their children, who are studying in various schools and colleges in the city, are currently in the middle of their respective academic years. The petitioners also said if the demolition drive is permitted to continue, it would disrupt the studies.

During the hearing, the court said, “I understand that this demolition drive might be a problem for some families. However, I can’t pass a blanket order and allow anyone to misuse the order. Those who feel that they are being wrongly targeted by the drive can approach the court for relief on an individual basis.”

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) counsel informed the court that they have identified 575 more unauthorised structures and those would be demolished on Friday and Saturday. The court adjourned the matter on Thursday for further hearing.