The Bombay high court has appointed architect Shashi Prabhu to ascertain the losses of Ambedkar Bhavan, which was demolished by the People’s Improvement Trust on instruction of BMC on grounds that it
The Bombay high court has appointed architect Shashi Prabhu to ascertain the losses of Ambedkar Bhavan, which was demolished by the People’s Improvement Trust on instruction of BMC on grounds that it was dilapidated. The court also asked the petitioner and respondent to give three names each to help Mr Prabhu in his work. The court asked Mr Prabhu to submit his report by Friday.
The HC was hearing an application filed by the trust which runs Ambedkar Bhavan in Dadar, against proposed rebuilding of the structure via contributions. The application was filed following B.R. Ambedkar’s grandson, Prakash Ambedkar, calling followers of the late Dalit leader to the premises on July 30 to help rebuild and restore the structure.
The trust said that it had received notice from the BMC on June 1, directing it to demolish three structures on the premises as they were in a dilapidated condition. Following the notice, the trust started demolition work on June 25 however, the same day, supporters of B.R. Ambedkar, mobilised by Mr Ambedkar, entered the premises and protested the demolition. The petitioner further stated that Mr Ambedkar had called followers of the late Dalit leader to assemble on the premises on July 30 and rebuild and restore the structure. Last week however, the high court restrained people from entering the premises of the recently demolished Ambedkar Bhavan and asked them not to attempt to restore or rebuild the structure.
