Khar bungalow defying stop work notice, allege society residents

The residents of a Khar society have alleged that the owner of a particular bungalow in the society was carrying out renovation work despite H west ward issuing a stop-work notice on March 5 following complaints by residents.

The house is one of the 12 bungalows in a plot leased to Church of St Vincent de Paul for 99 years. Society members say that according to the deed with the church, the property is to be used only for residential purposes, but that the bungalow was being renovated for commercial use. They also alleged that the owner of the bungalow was being shielded by political heavyweights.

"Whenever officials are around, the occupants stop work, but starts it as soon as they leave," said Robert Wiesinger, chairman of the society.

"The church has not agreed to change of use. An NOC was issued to the owner by an individual of the society without permission from the managing committee," he added.

Daphne Warapen, member, civic and political cell of St Vincent de Paul Church, said: "Contempt notice must be served on the owner for defiance and disregard for the notice with a copy to local police for further action."

Immediate action was taken after Warapen and other society members complained to civic officials. "It was heartening to see stop work notice being issued immediately," she said.

Sanjay Naik, owner of the bungalow, said he had stopped work after getting the notice. "I have challenged the notice because only I was being targeted. There are many other bungalows in the society carrying out commercial activities," he said. "I have also sought details of those bungalows from the ward and the building proposals department," he added.