Ajoy Mehta promises to toe court’s line on SoBo’s Bhatia building

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) chief Ajoy Mehta has assured the Bombay high court that he and his officers will follow all the directions of the HC  pertaining to the dilapidated condition of the Bhatia building, a south Mumbai residential structure.

On Wednesday, the court had observed that despite its order, excavation work near Bhatia building had not stopped and it had directed the BMC commissioner to remain present before the court. Accordingly, on Thursday, the BMC commissioner met Justice Kathawala in his chamber and assured complete compliance with the court’s directions. The building tenants had alleged that the landlords were carrying out unauthorised construction on the ground floor, which had damaged the building's foundation beams. Last month, the landlords assured the court that they would not carry out further work, and would repair the damage caused to the foundation. The petition had also claimed that excavation work on a plot behind the building was also causing cracks.

The HC had directed that a committee of experts from the BMC and MHADA, should visit the site and ensure that no excavation work was carried out. However, the court was informed two days ago that excavation work on the plot was still going on.