Bombay High Court stays demolition of 2 Bandra crosses

The Bombay High court on Friday by way of interim relief, restrained the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) from demolishing two Holy crosses located in Bandra(W) until further orders.

A division bench of Justice Abhay Oka and Justice Vibha Kankanwadi restrained the BMC while hearing a petition filed by Bombay Catholic Sabha.

Senior Counsel Joaquim Reis appearing for the Sabha argued that the cross situated at Chapel Road and near Nandi Talkies, have been there since a long time and cannot be said to be illegally built.

He informed the court that since the Sabha had agreed to remove/relocate the two crosses located in the Khar area on their own, the notice for demolition was not maintainable.

The bench, while asking the civic body to file its reply to the petition, posted the matter for further hearing in second week of July. Till then, the BMC cannot take any coercive action. The civic body had issued notices to the Sabha on June 24 asking them to relocate the holy crosses or it demolish them.

The notice was issued in accordance with the government resolution issued in November 2015, regarding demolition of illegal shrines within six months.