‘Raze all illegal structures in Aaram Colony’

Amidst the controversy over comedian Kapil Sharma’s illegal extension of his studio in Versova, Disha Foundation, an NGO working in Aaram Nagar Colony, has written to municipal commissioner Ajoy Mehta seeking the demolition of illegal structures there. It alleged that many of the illegal structures belong to Bollywood personalities. Meanwhile, Housing minister Prakash Mehta, said that the illegal constructions in Aaram Nagar will be demolished after the monsoon season.

Talking about Disha Foundation’s allegation, Mahmood Shaikh of Disha Foundation said, “Out of the 354 such structures, some Bollywood personalities owning 150 odd structures (in total) have converted their residential structures into commercial structures.” He said he has once again written to the BMC commissioner to demolish the illegal structures in pursuance of the Bombay high court order.

Just like the authorities demolished the illegal construction of Mr Sharma’s studio, similar action should be taken against other illegal structures in Aaram Nagar colony, Mr Shaikh said.

He also demanded to know what was holding the BMC back in acting upon the complaint by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (Mhada). “If action can be taken against Kapil Sharma, then why not on others ” he asked.

As per documents available, Mhada had written thrice to the BMC on June 7, 2015, March 8, 2016 and June 17, 2016 asking it to take action in demolition of the illegal structures. Mhada vice-president S.S. Zende had even pointed out that Mhada had deposited Rs 70 lakh with BMC to carry out the demolition activity. The HC in its order dated December 21, 2015, had directed the BMC to demolish the illegal structures. On May 6, 2016, the HC again gave time to BMC to demolish the illegal structures.

However, despite the HC orders and the Supreme Court also upholding the HC orders, the BMC till date has not carried out any demolition of the illegal structures.