Adarsh society building to be demolished, rules Bombay High Court
The building was allegedly constructed in total violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone rules and does not have a clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The Bombay High Court today ordered demolition of high rise building - Adarsh - for violation of green norms. The court has also asked cases to be filed against leaders and bureaucrats for overlooking rules while allowing construction of the multi-storey building situated in Colaba area of south Mumbai.
The demolition should be carried out at the expense of petitioners (Adarsh Society), ruled the court.
However, on a plea made by the Adarsh Housing Society, a division bench stayed its order for 12 weeks to enable it to file an appeal in the Supreme Court, despite opposition by the Maharashtra government.
The court also asked the Centre and Maharashtra Government to consider initiating civil and criminal proceedings against bureaucrats, ministers and politicians, if not already done, for various offences in acquiring the plot on which Adarsh Society stands and also for misuse and abuse of powers.
The building was allegedly constructed in total violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone rules and does not have a clearance from the Ministry of Environment and Forests.
The 31-floor building was supposed to house war veterans and widows but flats were allotted to leaders and bureaucrats at cheap rates. Former Maharashtra CM Ashok Chavan had to step down from his post after the scam was unearthed .
Chavan's three relatives reportedly own three flats in the building.
In February, the Maharashtra governor sanctioned Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to prosecute former in the case.