During the hearing of a petition filed by PIT seeking a prohibition on entry of Prakash and other supporters into the demolished property, the court advised both parties to work out some way to redevelop the property together.
The Bombay High Court has asked architect Shashi Prabhu to visit the now demolished Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar (E) and assess the damage caused to the printing press started by Dr Babsaheb Ambedkar. Certain portions of the press were damaged during the demolition in June, but it is still functioning.
Justice S J Kathawala has asked Prabhu to also suggest the probable steps that can be taken to restore the damaged portion, and submit a report to the court by Friday. Prabhu has been allowed to visit the site on Tuesday, along with three members of the People Improvement Trust (PIT), and seven other people, including Dr Ambedkar's grandson Prakash Ambedkar.
During the hearing of a petition filed by PIT seeking a prohibition on entry of Prakash and other supporters into the demolished property, the court advised both parties to work out some way to redevelop the property together.
The counsel appearing for Prakash, however, did not agree, stating that he would like to maintain the original structure built by Dr Ambedkar, as it was a heritage structure and had emotional value connected to it.
Prakash also sought entry into the printing press, which he claimed prints the Buddha Bhushan and other literature, to check on the machines inside. The trust strongly opposed the plea, claiming the press was defunct.
The court then asked Prabhu to visit the press and give a report on the inventory. It has now posted the matter for further hearing on August 8.
The trustees had moved the court after a call was given to Prakash supporters to enter the demolished property and restore it. The trustees argued that the demolition, which took place in the early hours of June 26, was in accordance with the law. Moreover, a new 17-storey building will be built at the same location and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has already approved the plan for the same, they said.
The court was also told that eight out of nine trustees were in agreement with the demolition decision taken by the trust, as the building was in a dilapidated condition. In addition, the corporation had given them a notice under section 354 of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act.
After the demolition of the historic Ambedkar Bhavan building, Prakash had filed an FIR at the Bhoiwada police station against senior PIT trustee Madhukar Kamble amd former IAS officer Ratnakar Gaikwad. A massive protest rally was also organised in the city.
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