9 months ago
Bombay HC Criticizes TMC Over Illegal Patlipada Constructions
The Bombay High Court is very upset with the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for not following its orders to remove illegal buildings in the Patlipada area.
These buildings were built on land meant for grazing and forests, which is not allowed.
The court said that the authorities made a mess by not doing what they were told to do for many years.
They even thought about punishing the officials who were in charge back then.
The court also questioned a new plan to build houses on this land, saying it could cause more problems.
The TMC admitted they didn't do enough and are now trying to find old records.
The court will decide next week if they should punish the officials for not following the rules.
Bombay High Court criticized the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) for failing to demolish illegal structures in Patlipada since 2014.
The court considered initiating contempt proceedings against former municipal commissioners and officers for ignoring its orders.
The court questioned the legality of a proposed Cluster Slum Scheme on forest land, stating it could create more legal issues.
The TMC admitted that only 30 out of 564 noticed structures were demolished, acknowledging their inaction.
The court asked for the names of officials responsible during the relevant period and will decide on interim orders next week.
- Who
- Bombay High Court, Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC), State Authorities, Anil Joshi (petitioner)
- What
- Bombay High Court criticized TMC for failing to act on illegal constructions in Patlipada and considered contempt proceedings against former officials.
- Where
- Patlipada area in Thane, Maharashtra, India
- When
- The court's orders were issued between April 2014 and December 2015, with the recent hearing on December 4, 2024.
- Why
- The court noted that the authorities had ignored orders to demolish illegal structures and questioned the legality of a proposed Cluster Slum Scheme on forest land.
Key facts
- Court
- Bombay High Court
- Area
- Patlipada, Thane
- Year of First Orders
- 2014
- Number of Structures Surveyed in 2015
- 1,501
- Structures Demolished
- 30
- Former Municipal Commissioner
- Sanjeev Jaiswal
- Former Assistant Commissioner
- Maruti Gaikwad
Quotes
Bombay High Court
The division bench of Justices Revati Mohite-Dere and Sandesh Patil
“Look at the injustice you will be doing to those who have purchased that property... Because of inaction by authorities, all this has happened.”
freepressjournal.in
“Since 2015 there are orders. You said you will do it. Why should contempt action not just be initiated against your officers?”
freepressjournal.in
Sriram Kulkarni
Advocate representing the petitioner
“When construction activity in forest land is not permitted, where is the question of structures prior to 1995 or 2000?”
freepressjournal.in
“There has been a systematic misuse of power”
freepressjournal.in
Ram Apte
TMC counsel
“We are now frantically searching the records.”
freepressjournal.in
Sources
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