Army takes possession of Adarsh

Indian Army officers at Adarsh society on Friday while taking over possession of the building.(Photo: Shripad Naik)

Defence ministry authorities on Friday took over possession of the 31-storey Adarsh Housing Society in Colaba as per a Supreme Court order. The move came after the Supreme Court, on July 22, had ordered the defence ministry to take possession of Adarsh Housing Society, further ensuring that the building is not demolished.

The Supreme Court had directed the defence ministry to take possession and secure Adarsh Housing Society from further encroachment.

The divisional bench of the Supreme Court, headed by Justices J. Chelmaeswar and A.M. Sapre, had also asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to not carry out any demolition in accordance to a Bombay high court decision dated April 29, 2016 ordering the building’s demolition.

The Adarsh Housing Society members had moved the Supreme Court against the Bombay high court verdict directing the demolition of the building.

Senior counsel Shekar Napade, appearing for the society, had informed the SC bench on July 22 that the building has been lying unoccupied since 2010. Ranjit Kumar, the solicitor general for the defence ministry, had informed the apex court that the occupancy certificate (OC) issued to the society was later rescinded and no one had occupied the flats. Mr Napade, however, said that some of them had kept their furniture in the flats and the office-bearers may be allowed to remove them.

Following the SC’s order to this effect, Indian Army officials took possession of the society. A defence ministry spokesperson said, “The Supreme Court had ordered the Central government to take over possession of Adarsh building. On behalf of the Government of India, the Indian Army is taking over the possession of the building from Adarsh society to ensure its security and prevent any encroachment.”

The procedure of taking possession was overseen by the HC registrar in the presence of the Military Estate Officer and office bearers of the society.