MUMBAI: Frowning at comments allegedly made by Mumbai mayor Kishori Pednekar following the Malad building collapse that killed 12 residents, Bombay high court on Friday expressed its displeasure at being blamed by civic authorities for building collapses “We are not going to tolerate politics over building collapses,” said Chief Justice Dipankar Datta, who led a full bench.
The four-judge bench taking note of the State’s June 4 order easing lockdown restrictions said resumption of courts is at some distance.
It extended all interim orders passed by courts across Maharashtra and Goa till July 9 or until further orders, whichever is earlier.
It was then that the CJ mentioned about the Malad incident and said there may be buildings that are dangerous, dilapidated and unsafe and the civic bodies may not be in a position to take steps due to protection orders passed due to the pandemic.
He said the court has made it abundantly clear that municipal corporations/councils/ panchayats shall be at liberty to move court for demolition if necessary.
The CJ said he was informed by a brother judge about the Mumbai mayor’s comments to a TV channel.
‘This is not fair.
You don’t take steps when required and thereafter you blame High Court…That High Court has stopped us (BMC) from demolishing buildings,’’ said the CJ.
The CJ said while passing orders extending interim protection due to the pandemic, the civic authorities were granted liberty to move court for demolition of dangerous/dilapidated/unsafe structure.
“We are available 24 x 7.
Anytime you can take orders from the court,’’ said the CJ, adding that HC will not tolerate politics over building collapses.
Senior advocate Anil Sakhare, representing BMC, said the context of the mayor’s comments must be seen as it may not have been her intention to say it.
He said she was being questioned by a channel reporter about BJP accusing BMC of inaction against illegal structures.
The judges told Sakhare to ask the mayor in what context she made the comments.
“If her version is distorted, let her say it,’’ said the CJ.
The judges will take up at 2 pm the suo motu PIL after last year’s building collapse in Bhiwandi, Thane district, where 40 persons lost their lives.