Raze notice to Congress leader’s husband stayed

Mumbai: The Bombay High Court on Friday stayed the demolition notice issued by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to Mehul Vora, husband of Congress corporator, Binita Vora, for alleged illegal construction at their residence at Vile Parle.

A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil, and Justice M.S. Karnik, was hearing a writ petition filed by Mr Vora, challenging the notice issued by the BMC on December 21. The notice read that all the permissions that had been granted by BMC to regularise the said illegal structure, are being withdrawn.

Corporation counsel Anil Sakhare informed the court that another bench had already heard the matter and directed BMC to demolish the structure. Therefore, the court directed the registrar to present the matter before the Chief Justice in order to change the bench.

Mr Vora’s lawyer, Prasad Dhakephalkar, said that until the appropriate bench of the high court hears the petition, the BMC should not demolish the disputed structure. The court also directed BMC to maintain status quo till further hearing. Another bench of the HC, in a writ petition filed by Shiv Sena member Jitendra Janwale, had, on June 17, 2016, ordered the assistant commissioner (K west ward) to inspect the structure, and to demolish if any illegal construction was found.