Development of SPA block A stayed by Bombay High Court

Mumbai: The Bombay HC has stayed transfer of possession of land (creation of third party interest) in Bandra west in Block A of the Special Planning Authority (SPA) till such time BMC identifies land for a Sunni Muslim cemetery in Bandra or Khar in H-West ward. The court has pulled up the civic body and state for dilly-dallying on the issue of allotting land for a cemetery. The court reprimanded BMC for removing a previous reservation that included a graveyard in Block A of SPA and said that the civic body did so to benefit builders and make money and hence, should retain the reservation.

A division bench of Chief Justice Dr Manjula Chellur and Justice M.S. Sonak was hearing a petition filed by Mohammad Furqan Qureshi alleging that both BMC and the state had been dragging their feet on addressing the issue of allotting one hectare space in H-West ward for a cemetery. The need had arisen due to shortage of space in Bandra east and Santacruz west graveyards that were filled to the brim. Meanwhile, BMC pointed out that while the state had been putting onus of allotting land for the cemetery on it, it did not have land. Advocate Shaikh, appearing for Mr Qureshi prayed that BMC had removed an earlier reservation in Block A of the SPA to benefit builders.