Residents allege encroachment by Congress leader

The photo is of the open land in front of Little Flower High School that is being rented out to people to host weddings. (Photo: Asian Age)

Residents of Amrut Nagar in Ghatkopar have alleged that Congress leader and former vice president of the state minorities commission, Janet D’Souza, who is also the principal of Little Flower High School, has completely encroached on open space (stretch of land) adjacent to the school and is illegally renting out the same for birthday parties and wedding ceremonies. This, despite the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) issuing the school a stop-work notice on May 18 this year. However, Ms D’Souza said she is just carrying out repair works prior to the monsoon for betterment of classrooms in the school.

Residents have complained against Ms D’Souza and are following up on the issue with the local police station and N ward of BMC under whose jurisdiction the school has been since 2013. Asked whether she had permission to carry out repair works, Ms D’Souza replied, “In my knowledge, we do not need any permission for carrying out repair works, and I will have to check with the school staff if we require permission for the same.”

Meanwhile, a priest from the church near the school said, “Continuous illegal construction on public premises is obstructing people from worshipping in the church as well as the masjid, which is right opposite to the school.”

Another resident, Rizwan Shaikh, said, “Illegal construction is being carried out by Ms D’Souza despite BMC issuing stop-work notice. The land encroached upon is actually reserved for construction of a public garden. Ms D’souza has filed a molestation case against me for stopping her, and threatened me with dire consequences. No authority is doing anything because she has lots of contacts.”

BMC officials said they had been unable to stop illegal construction post stop-work notice because the police was not giving them protection to carry out demolition. “I will carry out demolition on Wednesday after police officials give me protection and until that, I cannot help it,” said Vishal Sakare, assistant engineer, N ward, BMC.

While S.M. Dwivedi, assistant commissioner, N ward, BMC, said, “After issuing stop-work notice and intimating the police, nothing more can be done from our side to stop illegal work without the support of police.”

Refuting BMC’s claims, Rajendra Kulkarni, senior police inspector, Vikhroli Parkside police station, said that they had provided 165 police officials to give protection to the BMC for carrying out demolition. However, Ashrak Shaikh, a lawyer fighting for the residents, said, “The police should file an FIR at least which is very primary and they have not done it.”