In a significant relief to the residents of south Mumbai, the Bombay High Court has stayed the operation of a Government Resolution issued on September 5, 2024, which sought to allot a plot reserved for public parking to a private educational institution. The interim order came in response to a petition filed by the Cuffe Parade Residents Association and another petitioner challenging the controversial land allotment.

The plot in question, as per the city’s sanctioned Development Plan, had been earmarked for public parking -- a crucial utility in the densely populated Cuffe Parade area. However, petitioners argued that the authorities, in violation of planning norms and due process, allotted the land to a private trust for the construction of a school, without appropriate legal safeguards or consultation with affected stakeholders.

Appearing on behalf of the petitioners, senior advocate Aspi Chinoy contended that the allotment constitutes a misuse of public land, depriving the local community of essential infrastructure.