17 Thane Buildings To Be Demolished, Top Court Says "Underworld Links"

The demolition of 17 properties in Maharashtra's Thane, ordered by the Bombay High Court will proceed as scheduled. The Supreme Court, which was hearing a petition challenging the High Court order today, refused to interfere with it, commenting that there was "no rule of law" and the perpetrators have "underworld connections". The Bench of Justices Ujjal Bhuyan and Manmohan, which was hearing the matter, applauded the move by the High Court. 

The petitioner has contended that at least 400 families live in these 17 buildings and they would become homeless if these are demolished. The owner of one such unit, the petitioner has claimed that his rights are being violated.  

Shortly after the hearing started today, Justice Manmohan remarked that the petitioner should not be heard. "Kudos to the High Court for taking a right decision. See, you encroached on some third party's land and built a property without taking any sanctions... There is no rule of law and please see, these are persons with underworld connections," Justice Manmohan added.  

The case was heard by the Bombay High Court when an elderly woman filed a petition saying her land has been grabbed and built on illegally. She had gone to court and wrote to multiple authorities including the Chief Minister, his deputy and the civic body. In her letters, she had mentioned that the construction was undertaken by people linked with the underworld. 

On June12, the High Court passed the interim order directing the Thane Municipal Corporation to demolish 17 buildings, constructed illegally by builders with links to the underworld.  

The top court passed strong remarks, saying these builders had constructed these structures without following due procedure and on the land of a third party. 

The court also expressed appreciation for the steps taken by the High Court through its interim order to demolish all these buildings. 

The High Court had issued directions empowering the Municipal Corporation to proceed with the demolition without awaiting any further order. 

Taking a stern note of illegal constructions within the limits of the Thane Municipal Corporation, the Bombay high court had ordered a judicial inquiry into the of 17 allegedly unauthorised structures, including multi-storied buildings, in Shil Daighar near Mumbra.  

Expressing "shock" over illegal constructions and delay in action, the High Court has directed the Thane Municipal Corporation Commissioner to conduct a survey of all illegal structures across its wards including developing areas and green zones and act against them.