An RTI reply filed by an activist revealed that between 2001 and 2014, the BMC engaged 151 lawyers to represent it in courts, at a cost of Rs.105 crore.
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has spent more than Rs105 crore as consulting fees to top lawyers to fight its cases. An RTI reply filed by an activist revealed that between 2001 and 2014, the BMC engaged 151 lawyers to represent it in courts.
The RTI reply, sought by activist Anil Galgali, also revealed that most cases pertain to illegal constructions. The response was filed by deputy law officer (small causes court), law department, BMC.
Incidentally, the highest amount paid to a single lawyer is Rs19,13,57,000 paid to K K Singhvi.
Galgali's query to the administration sough to obtain information about the expenses incurred in lawyers' fees and to record the total number of cases they are arguing. "However, information sought about the quantum of court cases along with the fees paid was not provided to me. The law department stated that till now no such independent record is available with it. Since there are no details about lawyers case-wise, their performance vis-a-vis the fees paid to them cannot be assessed," said Galgali, adding, "All the information given was so complicated and tricky, just as the department is."
Now, Galgali has addressed a letter to municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte, suggesting that BMC maintain records of its lawyers and their cases, which will enable citizens to review the performance of lawyers as well as give insight on their ability.
"I feel the administration should take action against illegal structures in time and if delayed the officials should try to have a dialogue with the litigants in time which if successful, will save taxpayers money and civic body valuable time. This will bring down the fees being paid to lawyers to fight the cases."
Club 21: Crorepati lawyers
A total of 21 lawyers have become multi-millionaires while representing the BMC.
The ten highest-paid lawyers, who collectively raked in Rs105 crore over 13 years, or about half the total fees paid out to civic lawyers, are as follows (Fees in rupees):
K K Sanghvi: 19.13 crore
Anil Sakhre: 10.58 crore
G E Vahanavaty: 4.90 crore
E P Bharucha: 4.28 crore
S U Kamdar: 3.65 crore
Ramesh Bhat: 2.63 crore
Pallav Sisodiya: 2.6 crore
J Rais: 1.85 crore
B L Chabbria: 1.80 crore
Subhash Vyas: 1.80 crore
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