Ambedkar bhavan demolition: Bombay HC asks architect to carry out site inspection of printing press today

Prabhu’s name was nominated by Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of Dr Ambedkar. He will be accompanied by three representatives from the PIT and six to seven from Prakash’s side along with one from the intervenor. They will visit the printing press to assess the situation and carry out an inventory.

With Prakash’s counsel Rajendra Pai seeking repairs, the court said such orders would be passed once the report was submitted before it. The report is expected to be submitted before the court on Friday.

Prakash had given a call to his supporters to do ‘shramdaan’ and enter the property to restore it. Ambedkar Bhavan and the Buddha Bhushan printing press, in Central Mumbai, started by Dr Ambedkar were demolished by the PIT last month claiming that it was dilapidated and a grand 17-storey ‘Ambedkar Bhavan’ would come up in its place.

The High Court had then told the trust and others to maintain status quo till Monday. The police have been directed to take action against those who try to enter the property forcibly.

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Pai also pointed out damages to the party office of Bharipa Bahujan Mahasangh, led by Prakash Ambedkar, and an office of the Buddhist Society of India. The court has asked Prabhu to submit a report on the damages to these offices.

Kathawalla suggested both the parties to work it out among themselves. The counsel appearing for the trust, Shailesh Shah, then suggested that an agreement could be worked out between the two parties whereby the redevelopment could be carried out while preserving the printing press, considering its heritage status.

“The other offices can be shifted to the permanent alternative accommodation provided by us,” Shah said. But Pai refused to accept this arrangement. Shah added that it had collected Rs 10 crore till date for redevelopment of the building.