Bombay High Court: Set up special courts to deal with illegal buildings

The Bombay High Court on Friday directed the state to set up special courts and special police cells within 12 weeks to deal with unauthorised constructions in Thane and neighbouring areas.

A division bench of justices DY Chandrachud and SC Gupte specified that the special police cells should have dedicated staff.

Reports calling for action against illegal constructions should be taken up in four weeks, the court said.

The apex court was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Harit Vasai Sanrakshan Samiti, an NGO.

The NGO had alleged that there were over 5 lakh unauthorised structures in the Vasai-Virar belt of Thane district.

During the hearing, the court extended the scope of the PIL to the whole of Thane district.
The bench directed various stakeholders in the issue to submit their proposals to the government.

If they failed to do so, the state government will have to give directions under the Mumbai Regional Town Planning Act.

During a previous hearing, the HC had directed the demolition of all illegal structures by December 31, 2010. The order didn’t stop such constructions from springing up.