Updated: September 22, 2020 9:31:40 pm
Ranaut denied the civic body’s claim that it carried out “substantial illegal additions and alterations” contrary to sanctioned plans at its Bandra office.
On Tuesday, the Mumbai High Court asked actor Kangana Ranaut to name Shiv Sena leader Sanjay Raut and a designated BMC H-West district official as parts of the case challenging the demolition of his office.
A bench from the division of judges SJ Kathawalla and RI Chagla noted that since the actor presented a DVD with the statements made by Raut, he should have the opportunity to be heard, and the BMC officer should also respond to the allegations.
In reaction, Raut, Sena’s chief spokesman, said the case would not deter him from “fighting for the pride of my city and my Maharashtra.”
The case brought by a performance in the Honorable Supreme Court is a demolition of an illegitimate structure by BMC, which is an independent body, and the demand is 2 mk, the deputy of RS SanjayRaut is a party! Frm Babri case 2 standng fr Marathi pride, I have facd several cases! This will not deter me from fighting the pride of my city and my Maharashtra
– Sanjay Raut (@ rautsanjay61) September 22, 2020
Parts of Ranaut’s Bandra office were razed on September 9, before the court suspended the demolition until further orders were issued.
Ranaut, through attorney Rizwan Siddiquee, on Monday he presented a reply to the additional affidavit from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), saying that the civic body had abused the “ legal process ” by initiating demolition work on its office when it was only given 24 hours to respond to its notification, and his answer was rejected in a hasty manner.
The court also sought to know from the BMC whether any action was taken on an adjacent bungalow occupied by fashion designer Manish Malhotra, after giving him seven days to respond to the notification. Ranaut in his reply had cited this as “bias” of the BMC.
Referring to the DVD of Raut’s statement that Ranaut had submitted to the Court, Judge Kathawalla wanted to know if she wanted Raut to participate in the guilty plea. “Don’t you want to show the legend of ‘Ukhaad diya’ (as reported on September 10 in Sena spokesperson Saamana)? You will have to implement Raut, ”Judge Kathawalla told the actor.
Senior attorney Birendra Saraf, who appeared for Ranaut, took time and was reluctant to make Raut a party in the case, saying that she would instead argue about BMC’s ‘malice in law’ aspect. However, after the bank insisted that Raut be given a chance to be heard, Saraf agreed.
The Court also ordered the plaintiff to name Bhagyavant Late, a designated BMC H-West ward officer, who had filed the affidavit on behalf of BMC, as part of the case.
Ranaut denied the civic body’s claim that it carried out “substantial illegal additions and alterations” contrary to sanctioned plans at its Bandra office.
In light of this, the BMC, through lead attorney Aspi Chinoy and attorney Joel Carlos, sought time to respond to the new ‘categorical denial’ related to the actor’s illegal alterations, claiming that it required a response according to records. .
Saraf and Siddiquee objected to the BMC’s request, saying that the actor had maintained from the beginning that there were no illegal alterations to the premises.
Furthermore, they claimed that BMC officials involved in the demolition had provided them with additional photographs of alleged illegal alterations on Tuesday, taken “belatedly to divert and delay the case.”
The Court also sought to know from the BMC how its 2012 policy circular was applicable to the demolition at the actor’s office. The circular prescribes demolition at the expiration of the 24-hour notice period in case of danger to the life of the occupant or other persons. Given this, the Court sought to know whose life was in danger, which motivated the civic body to carry out partial demolition on September 9, after notifying Ranaut on September 8.
The court, while publishing an additional hearing to make Raut and Late parties to the case on Wednesday, ordered the civic body to present its response to Ranaut’s reply on Thursday and said it will hear the case in detail on Friday.
📣 The Indian Express is now on Telegram. Click here to join our channel (@indianexpress) and stay updated with the latest headlines
For the latest news from Mumbai, download the Indian Express app.
© The Indian Express (P) Ltd
.
