BMC may recover Rs 12.5L demolition cost from landlord

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) may recover the demolition cost of the Aftaf Mansion from the landlord. Last week, the BMC had demolished the remaining portion of Altaf Mansion at a cost of Rs12.50 lakh.

According to civic officials, the demolition cost includes the charges paid for the high reach demolition machine, removal of debris and the labor used for it.

“Normally, the demolition cost is recovered from the property owner, whose name appears on the property card. After the demolition we send them a demand letter asking to pay the demolition cost,” said a senior civic official.

“If they don’t pay the amount, then we refer it to the assessor and collector department asking to include the same amount into their property tax bills,” said the official, adding that Altaf Furniturewala’s name reflects on the property card of the Altaf Mansion building.

Following Altaf Furniturewala’s death, his three sons – Irfan, Sharif and Mohd Ali – are looking after the property. The three brothers are the prime accused in the building collapse case.

Sharad Ughade, assistant commissioner of G North, said, “The final decision on it will be taken soon.”