The Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai today told the Bombay High Court that it does not have adequate powers to forcibly evict the occupants of privately-owned dilapidated buildings.
MCGM has filed a petition in the HC, stating difficulties faced by it in implementing the eviction notices issued under the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act and seeking more powers.
The Corporation finds itself under fire whenever a building collapses. To present its case before the High Court, it has hired senior lawyers S U Kamdar, E P Bharucha and Anil Sakhare.
During the hearing today, the bench of Justices Anoop Mohta and Amjad Sayed asked the Corporation to modify a clause which deals with classification of a structure as dilapidated.
Kamdar said MCGM would make the necessary changes. Also, a line will be added in another clause, stating the Corporation will not interfere in the matters where title disputes are pending.
Advocate General Darius Khambata said the state government would extend all the necessary help to the Corporation when it comes to evicting occupants of dilapidated buildings declared as dangerous to live in.
Kamdar argued MCGM finds it difficult to "physically" evict the occupants as it does not have enough powers. "When our officers try to implement the eviction notices, cases of molestation are lodged against them," Kamdar said.
