Campa Cola cases: ‘Civic body poorer by Rs 80 lakh’

Since 2008, the corporation has been engaged in a long-drawn legal battle over the illegality of 35 floors spread across seven buildings in the Campa Cola compound, Worli. Despite an SC order issued on February 27, which ordered the civic body to demolish the illegal flats, the residents have persistently filed review petitions and other cases against the BMC in the SC and HC to delay (and change) the demolition verdict.

The expenses include fee to engage Attorney General of India G E Vahanvati, who tendered his resignation on Tuesday, and senior counsel S U Kamdar.

According to the RTI reply, Vahanvati was paid Rs 57.75 lakh for his appearances in the SC to argue the case of the BMC. Similarly, SC lawyer Pallav Sisodia has been paid Rs 19.03 lakh for representing the corporation.

Senior counsel S U Kamdar was paid Rs 1.35 lakh for appearing before the Bombay HC, and lawyer Joaquim Rais was paid Rs 1.5 lakhs for arguing for the BMC in the city civil court.