Bull Dozers trained at illegal structures

NOV 6: The demolition men have finally got their bull dozers trained on structures, specially those belonging to the underworld gangsters...

NOV 6: The demolition men have finally got their bull dozers trained on structures, specially those belonging to the underworld gangsters.8217; The first one in the line of fire is the three storeyed commercial structure at 63 Dontaad Street in Pydhonie, which has about nine galas, with each floor covering an area of 35 X 30 feet.

However, the most important thing is that the owner of the said structure, one Mr Jabbar, has no criminal records whatsoever and his only connection with the underworld is a multi-storeyed residential structure which adjoins his building. 8220;The residential structure was constructed illegally by the Dawood gang way back in 1985,8221; said Officer on Special Duty, G R Khairnar adding that residential structures are not in his target right now as most of them are tied up in litigations.

The said commercial structure is illegal8217;, the requisite permission from the local buildings proposal department was not taken when extensions were made some ten years back. The structure was protected so far by injuctions filed in several court by its owner, including a recent one filed in Hyderabad High Court. 8220;The court vacated the stay and ordered the BMC to go ahead with the demolitions only five days back,8221; Khairnar added.

The demolition operations were smooth with only a weak protest put up by women residents of the residential structure standing in front of the commercial structure. 8220;I told them that only the commercial structure adjoining their residential structure would be demolished, even though theirs was also an illegal one. I asked them to leave, failing which they would have the bull dozers on their buildings as well,8221; he said. That was enough to dissolve the crowd and the demolitions began right away with a posse of 100 policemen.

As far as multi-storeyed structures are concerned, the BMC only makes them unfit for occupation. The actual demolition is done by private contractors.

As of now, the demolition man are waiting for a clearance from High Court to go ahead with demolitions of about 1000 structures in B Ward which were actually constructed by ganglords 15 years back. Most of these structures are tied up in litigations, while many others have been sold out to people with no criminal records.