German Bakery doors shut due to legal war

Patrons will have to wait longer for their favourite German Bakery to open its doors again. The current owners of the well-known establishment are involved in a legal battle over the newly-constructed structure in Koregaon Park.

The legal documents proving the ownership over the famous bakery are not unambiguous as before the blast, the bakery was on the ground floor and the top floor was a residence. In the newly constructed structure, the top floor has reportedly been turned into a bar. One of the co-owners has also claimed that the newly-constructed floor is illegal.

Half-baked: The renovated German Bakery has been mired in controversy ever since announcements of its re-opening. PIC/Krunal Gosavi

According to Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) officials all documents regarding the bakery itself are in place. They've also received stability audit report of the bakery and have forwarded the same to the legal department. The bakery has also received clearances from he Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Jayant Sarawade, Executive Engineer, PMC said, "After renovation there is no need to take permission from the PMC because they have been doing business for a long time, even prior to the blast. We have received audit report and after scrutinising that legal department will give our reply."

Commenting on the claims made by one of the owner, Sarawade said, "There are some internal changes in the bakery, which are not structural. PMC cannot interfere in case of the interiors."

In case the bakery plans to use the first floor commercially, it will have to take the necessary permissions. However, the PMC has not received any such request yet.

Sources said that changes made to the newly constructed bakery are indeed structural, as a part of the slab was demolished to make way for

a staircase. For demolishing slab or wall permission of PMC required. But PMC officials are taking passive stand regarding this issue. Kunal and Ajinkya Udane, the current co-owners of the bakery refused to comment on the issue. u00a0