As HC deadline ends, residents of 34 flats vacate Wellingdon housing society in Tardeo
The eviction on Thursday came along the heels of the high court refusing extension of time for occupants to vacate flats from 17 to 34 floors of Tardeo high-rise, over concerns of sending a "completely wrong message".
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While the HC on August 6 granted the homeowners a three-week extension to vacate their flats, the court on Tuesday rejected the interim plea filed by the residents seeking extension.
The residents of nearly 34 flats of Wellingdon housing society on Thursday vacated their homes amid the Bombay High Court deadline to evict the top 18 floors of the 34-storey high-rise in Tardeo over irregularities coming to a close. Bereft of their homes, the distraught residents of the South Mumbai high-rise met the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Thursday seeking relief. Later the CM directed the civic departments concerned to initiate the process of issuing the documents.
The eviction on Thursday came along the heels of the high court refusing extension of time for occupants to vacate flats from 17 to 34 floors of Tardeo high-rise, over concerns of sending a “completely wrong message”.
On July 15, the HC had directed the “selfish” residents occupying the top 18 floors of the high-rise to vacate their flats, stating that the homeowners had engaged in “brazen irregularities” for years and were least bothered about their own and others’ lives. The HC order was also upheld by the Supreme Court earlier this month, which while appreciating the HC orders against unauthorised constructions, also permitted the petitioners to approach the HC, seeking more time for vacating their homes.
On August 6, senior advocate Dinyar Madon for the society claimed that it was difficult for 27 families occupying 18 floors to find an alternative accommodation.
While the HC on August 6 granted the homeowners a three-week extension to vacate their flats, the court on Tuesday rejected the interim plea filed by the residents seeking extension.
Their plea rejected, the residents of the top floors of the building on Thursday vacated their homes. On Thursday, the aggrieved residents lingered around the building’s lobby with many having sought a refuge at their relatives’ homes. Narendra Bhandari, chairman of Willingdon CHS said, “Most of the residents are now staying with their relatives. My family and I are presently staying at my nephew’s place. Kya karein ab, yeh humari majboori hai (What do we do now, this is the only option we have).”
Speaking to The Indian Express, Manish Valanju, assistant municipal commissioner, confirmed, “In view of the court orders, our officials conducted an inspection of the site on Thursday and found that the flats between 18 and 34 floors had been vacated and locked. The entire matter had come to light as the upper storeys of the building did not have an Occupation Certificate and during the fire inspection, it also came to light that they did not even hold a Fire NOC.”
Earlier this week, the building residents procured an NOC from the Fire Brigade while officials said that process for other compliance has been initiated.
Rendered without a roof over their heads amid festivities across the city, the affected families on Thursday afternoon approached the chief minister and civic chief Bhushan Gagrani. The CM directed the departments concerned to issue an OC if all matters are complied with.
Welcoming the move, residents of the building said the directives come as a big relief. “This will help us approach the building proposal department at the earliest and fulfil our years-long dream of procuring an OC,” said the society chairman.
(WITH INPUTS FROM OMKAR GOKHALE)
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