Jai Hind college challenges BMC demolition notice in HC

Jai Hind College in Churchgate has contested BMC’s demolition notice, issued for removal of an illegal shed on the college’s ground floor, in the Bombay high court.

The BMC had given the college 15 days to remove the shed after officials from the building and factory department of BMC’s A ward found it lacked necessary permissions. When the college didn’t produce any documents to prove the shed was legal, a notice was issued on August 21 under section 55 of the Maharashtra Regional and Town Planning Act.

College principal Ashok Wadia said, “We have built the shed for students and won’t demolish it.”

The college had claimed that the shed was not being used for canteen purposes but to create an open space for students and their activities during monsoon and summer.

A civic official said no action can be taken against the college as the matter is in court. Assistant engineer of building and factory department D Kantharia said, “We can initiate action only after receiving directions from the high court.”