Bal Thackeray memorial row: Bombay HC asks BMC to maintain status quo on eviction notice to kindergarten school

The Bombay High Court has asked the BMC to maintain status quo in regards to eviction notice issued to a kindergarten school being run by Keraleeya Mahila Samaj in Dadar.

The plot of land where the school functions has been narrowed down by the BMC to construct a memorial for Shiv Sena founder Bal Thackeray. The plot adjoins the Mayor’s Bungalow.

A division bench of Justice Naresh Patil and Justice Shalini Phansalkar Joshi, directed the corporation to follow due process of law and hear the Samaj authorities and take a decision according to law.

The court has given liberty to the Samaj to approach the court if the decision goes against them. The BMC has meanwhile been directed not to act on the court’s order for four weeks. The BMC had last year issued a notice to take back the plot, located near the bungalow. The plot has had a kindergarten school for 55 years.

Keraleeya Mahila Samaj moved court last year challenging the Vacant Land Tenancy (VLT) notice of March 26, 2016. The HC said in an interim order that "no coercive action" shall be taken against the school. The BMC, in its notice to Keraleeya Mahila Samaj had said that the government has decided to develop the late Balasaheb Thackeray Smarak at the Mayor's Bungalow, and the 574 sq metres land in its possession in the area nearby.