After a 19-year-long legal battle and persistent follow-ups, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) partially demolished the encroachment and unauthorised alterations by a commercial establishment operating from two ‘illegally’ amalgamated residential flats on the premises of the Sukh Shanti building at Pedder Road, on Wednesday. While residents acknowledge that action was finally taken after nearly two decades, they expressed dissatisfaction, calling it incomplete and criticising the BMC for its prolonged inaction. The space has been rented out to designer Riyaz Gangji, who operates his fashion store—Libas—from the premises.

Issue began in 2005

The story dates back to 2005, when the owner of one of the two flats in the eye of controversy, Dr Soneji, passed away. “Currently, the property in question includes two flats on the ground floor 1A and 2. The owner of flat 1A was one Dr Soneji, who passed away in January 2005, while flat no. 2 was owned by Nishant Mahimtura. Following Dr Soneji’s demise, Mahimtura broke the common wall and amalgamated the two flats. He also broke the front wall and turned it into showcase displays. Not only this but the common passage of the society building was encroached upon,” said Advocate Vijay Mishra, one of the lawyers representing Sukh Shanti CHS. “In 2005, after the residents questioned the illegal amalgamation of the flats, Mahimtura wrote to the residents of Sukh Shanti society that he is the legal heir of the deceased Dr Soneji,” Mishra added.