PCB razes 15 stalls near Shivaji Market

The Pune Cantonment Board (PCB) demolished at least 15 illegal stalls during its anti-encroachment drive near Shivaji Market on Thursday.

However, some shopkeepers alleged that the drive was carried out in a biased manner and action was not taken against several other illegal structures in the area.

Salim Memon, whose ‘Star Music Corner’ was demolished on Sacha Peer Street, alleged that he was not served any notice and the issue is pending in court. “The PCB lawyer had given an undertaking that the board will serve notice on me prior to any action. However, this has not happened. My family has been running the business since 1948 and I am paying tax regularly,” he said.

Memon alleged that PCB vice-president Manzur Shaikh targeted his shop following old enmity. “My brother, Kadir Memon, was beaten up by Shaikh’s men and the police had taken action against them after I lodged a complaint in 2009,” he said, adding, “Although the PCB squad demolished my shop, it failed to take action against several other stalls operating illegally in the area.”

Refuting the allegations, Shaikh said the PCB acted only after residents lodged a complaint. “A written complaint signed by around 500 people was given to the board and based on it the illegal stalls were removed,” he said.

He claimed that the encroachments would hinder movement of fire tenders and ambulances in emergencies. “I don’t have any role in the demolition and the charges levelled against me are totally baseless,” he added.