Taking cognizance of media reports, the Supreme Court today stayed demolition of unauthorised flats in Mumbai's Campa Cola society, giving relief to over 100 agitated families, who clashed with the police while the civic squad was bulldozing its way into the premises.
"Till further orders, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation will not carry out demolition in furtherance of the notice issued by the corporation," a bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi said while observing that "We were badly disturbed by the development that is taking place at Campa Cola premises in Mumbai."
In a ray of hope for the occupants of the unauthorised flats, the bench, also comprising Justice V Gopala Gowda, said that it will also consider the proposal to construct new buildings in the same premises where people, who are to vacate flats, could be accomodated.
The bench, which said that ordinance cannot be issued to overrule its verdict, however took note of the submission of Attorney General G E Vahanvati that a permanent solution has to be found and merely staying the demolition till May 31, 2014 as ordered earlier in the morning, would not yield the desired relief for the residents occupying the illegal flats.
Accepting his suggestion, the bench said the Attorney General will prepare the specific proposal and submit it to the court on Tuesday, November 19, when the matter will be taken up.
Earlier, minutes after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) squad bulldozed its way inside the compound by breaking open the gate to gain access to take action against illegal flats, the bench at around 10:30 am took suo motu cognizance of media reports and stayed the demolition process till May 31, 2014 saying it will pass a detailed order at 2 PM.
