SUPREME COURT OF INDIA
N.M. KASLIWAL AND M.M. PUNCHHI, JJ.
Pratibha Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. and another, Petitioners
Versus
State of Maharashtra and others, Respondents.
Special Leave Petition (Civil) No. 5383 of 1990
Decided on 9-5-1991.
Constitution of India, 1950 - Article 136 - Rules and regulations of Corporation - show cause notice - Unauthorised constructions – Permission of - Bombay Municipal Corporation issued a show cause notice calling upon Housing Society to show cause within 7 days as to why upper eight floors of building should not be demolished so as to limit development to permissible Floor Space Index (F.S.I.) - In notice it was stated that additional F.S.I. to extent of 2773 sq. mts. was gained by Housing Society and that construction work had already reached 36 floors and that on basis of actual area of building, upper eight floors were beyond permissible F.S.I. limit and as such were required to be removed - Housing Society submitted a reply to show cause notice by their letter - Administrator of Bombay Municipal Corporation made an order on 21st September, 1984 requiring Housing Society to demolish 24,000 sq. ft. on eight upper floors of building on basis of 3000 sq. ft. on each floor - Housing Society made a representation but the same was dismissed by Administrator by order - Held, It is an admitted position that six floors have been completely demolished and a part of seventh floor has also been demolished - It was pointed out by Mr. K. K. Singhvi, learned counsel for Corporation that tendency of raising unlwaful constructions by builders in violation of rules and regulations of Corporation was rampant in the city of Bombay and Municipal Corporation with its limited sources was finding it difficult to curb such activities - We are also of view that tendency of raising unlawful constructions and unauthorised encroachments is increasing in entire country and such activities are required to be dealt with by firm hands - Such unlawful constructions are against public interest and hazardous to safety of occupiers and residents of multistoreyed buildings - Violation of F.S.I. in present case was not a minor one but was to an extent of more than 24,000 sq. ft - Such unlawful construction was made by Housing Society in clear and flagrant violation and disregard of F.S.I. and order for demolition of eight floors had attained finality right up to this Court - Petition dismissed.
JUDGMENT
KASLIWAL, J.:— This petition under Art. 136 of the Constitution of India is directed against the order of Bombay High Court dated 8th March, 1990.
2. Facts necessary and shorn of details are given as under. Pratibha Co-operative Housing Society Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the Housing Society made some unauthorised constructions in a 36 storeyed building in a posh and important locality of the city of Bombay. The Bombay Municipal Corporation issued a show cause notice dated 7th August, 1984 calling upon the Housing Society to show cause within 7 days as to why the upper eight floors of the building should not be demolished so as to limit the development to the permissible Floor Space Index (F.S.I.). In the notice it was stated that additional F.S.I. to the extent of 2773 sq. mts. was gained by the Housing Society and that the construction work had already reached 36 floors and that on the basis of the actual area of the building, the upper eight floors were beyond the permissible F.S.I. limit and as such were required to be removed. The Housing Society submitted a reply to the show cause notice by their letter dated 13th August, 1984. The Administrator of the Bombay Municipal Corporation made an order on 21st September, 1984 requiring the Housing Society to demolish 24,000 sq. ft. on the eight upper floors of the building on the basis of 3000 sq. ft. on each floor. The Housing Society made a representation but the same was dismissed by the Administrator by order dated 31st October, 1984. An appeal submitted by the Housing Society was also dismissed by the State Government on 7th October, 1985. The Housing Society then filed a Writ Petition No. 4500 of 1985 in the High Court. A Division Bench of the High Court dismissed the Writ Petition on 28th October, 1985. However, the High Court While dismissing the writ petition also observed as under:
"It would, however, be fair and just in the circumstances of the case to give a choice to the society to reduce the construction up to permissible limit or whatever other method they can think of. It is of course for the society to come forward with a proposal in that behalf. We therefore direct that in case the society comes with any such alternative proposal within the four corners of the rules and regulations within one month from today the Municipality may consider."
The case of the Housing Society is that in pursuance to the said order it submitted application to the Municipal Corporation giving several alternative proposals on 21st November, 1985. It may be noted at this stage that the Housing Society had preferred a special leave petition No. 17351 of 1985 before this Court against the judgment of the High Court dated 28th October, 1985 and the said special leave petition was dismissed by this Court on 17th January, 1986. Further allegation of the Housing Society was that it submitted another proposal to the Municipal Corporation on 17th February, 1986 and thereafter wrote to the Municipal Council on 14th August, 1986 to consider their alternative proposals. A similar letter was also written to the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. On 29th August, 1986 the Municipal Commissioner fixed up a meeting for hearing the alternative proposals of the Housing Society. It has been alleged that in the said meeting the Housing Society had put forward its case in support of the new proposals and the Municpal Commissioner had thereafter informed the Housing Society that he would consider the said proposals and take decision. However, no decision was taken till the filing of the present special leave petition before this Court. It has been further alleged that on 27th December, 1988 the Housing Society wrote a letter to the Municipal Commissioner to consider the alternative proposals mainly of vertical demolition of the building instead of demolishing the eight upper floors. It has been alleged that a meeting took place between the architects of the Housing Society as well as the officers of
Login now and unlock free premium legal research
Login to SupremeToday AI and access free legal analysis, AI highlights, and smart tools.
Login
now!
India’s Legal research and Law Firm App, Download now!
Copyright © 2023 Vikas Info Solution Pvt Ltd. All Rights Reserved.