Cannot demolish Walkeshwar building: Bombay high court

The Bombay high court on Wednesday declined to order the demolition of a 32-storey building at Walkeshwar while hearing a public interest litigation challenging it.

The court was hearing a PIL filed by social activist Simpreet Singh alleging 24 violations including Development Control Regulations and Coastal Regulation Zone norms. According to the PIL, the building had come up on land that was reserved for a civic retail market and a parking lot for pilgrims visiting the Banganga temple.

Maharashtra Coastal Zone Regulatory Authority (MCZRA) advocate told the court that the developer did not respond to a notice issued by it in 2009.

Chinoy said it was a sent to locked premises. The judges directed MCZRA to hear the concerned parties and decide the issue within three months after receiving the reply. They also observed that in future BMC must be “more vigilant” about violations in constructions.