HC junks PIL alleging underworld hand in Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project

Urging for dismissal of the PIL, MHADA submitted that if such a petition was allowed, it would amount to conducting a fishing inquiry against the project.

The project is being implemented by SBUT under the MHADA after a notification was issued by Urban Development Department of state government in 2009.

“The allegations are not specific and are also vague, hence the petition is dismissed. The scheme is very beneficial to local people and complaints, if any, can be lodged with the authorities,” said a division bench of Justices Naresh Patil and V L Achliya.

The PIL, filed by social activist Priya Rathod, alleged that underworld had a hand in the project and people were being threatened at gun point to vacate their dwellings without being offered alternate accommodation. The petition also demanded a CBI probe into the same.

Appearing for Saifee Buhrani Upliftment Trust (SBUT), which is implementing the Bhendi Bazaar redevelopment project, counsel Satish Maneshinde argued that the allegations in the PIL were vague and baseless. He further said that the scheme was being implemented properly and around 30 buildings had been demolished already.

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) counsel argued that the PIL was not against the project but had challenged the procedures. The housing body had followed all the procedures in a legal manner and prepared an eligibility list for which there has been no complaint so far, he said. The lawyer submitted that if the people were aggrieved, they could lodge a complaint with its Repair and Reconstruction Board, which would deal with the grievances.
Urging for dismissal of the PIL, MHADA submitted that if such a petition was allowed, it would amount to conducting a fishing inquiry against the project.

CBI argued that no case had been made out in the PIL for investigation by the agency.
According to the respondents, the scheme is one of the biggest redevelopment projects in the state, spread over 16.5 acres of land in south Mumbai and having around 260 buildings.

The project is being implemented by SBUT under the MHADA after a notification was issued by Urban Development Department of state government in 2009.

mumbai.newsline@expressindia.com

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram