HC directs BMC to raze illegal structures on magistrate court premises

The direction was passed by a division bench of Chief Justice Mohit Shah and Justice A V Mohta on March 25 while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by one Shivshankar Joshi Jatashankar on the poor condition of the magistrate's court building in Vikhroli.

A report submitted by the Committee of Registrar General of the high court, secretary of the state Public Works Department and Principal secretary of the state Law and Judiciary department in October last year indicated that there were a number of illegal extension, alterations of the existing structures and additionson the ground floor of the court premises, which had been made by the members of the societies.

These encroachments affect access to the court premises, the report said.

"It is for the municipal corporation to call upon the persons having premises around the court building to show the permissions obtained by them from the civic body. If such permissions are not produced, then the municipal corporation shall proceed to demolish the illegal structures after giving the concerned person one week's notice," the high court ordered.u00a0

The matter has been kept for compliance on April 10.

The bench was also informed by the state government that the repair work of the court building will be completed by May 31 this year.

When informed that two court rooms do not have dais for the judge to preside, the high court directed the PWD to supply all necessary furniture, including dais, to the two court rooms.u00a0