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Anger gives way to euphoria @ Campa Cola society
In a relief to hundreds of agitating residents of Mumbai's Campa Cola society, the Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed forthwith the demolition of unauthorised flats in the compound till May 31, 2014.
The order came minutes after the Bombay Municipal Corporation (BMC) squad bulldozed its way into the Campa Cola compound in South Mumbai to take action against illegal flats in the society.
A bench headed by Justice G S Singhvi took suo motu cognizance of media reports and stayed the demolition process.
Pronouncing its order, the Supreme Court said: "Apart from legal issues, there is also a human problem in the case."
"We were badly disturbed by the development that is taking place at Campa Cola premises in Mumbai. We feel some more time should be given to vacate the premises. We are passing these orders suo motu after reading newspapers," the court said.
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Anger gives way to euphoria @ Campa Cola society
The Apex court also agreed to consider the proposal of constructing a separate building in the premises for those whose apartments are to be demolished.
Meanwhile, the Attornery General told the court that he will come up with a proposal for a permanent solution. The AG is likely to submit the proposal by Tuesday.
Justice Singhvi, who had on October 1 refused to re-consider his earlier order on demolition of flats built beyond the sanctioned six floors, had set November 11 deadline to vacate 102 flats declared as illegal.
Seven high-rise buildings of Campa Cola Housing society were constructed between 1981 and 1989. The builders had permission for only six floors. One of the compound buildings, Midtown, has 20 floors and another building, Orchid, has got 17 floors.
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Anger gives way to euphoria @ Campa Cola society
On Wednesday morning, the municipal staff with police help barged into the compound in South Mumbai by breaking open the main gate to take action against illegal flats in the society.
The residents were involved in scuffles with police who forcibly moved them away from the gate to facilitate access for the civic squad.
But anger gave way to euphoria soon after the stay order from the Supreme Court arrived.
Fire crackers were burst to welcome the ruling.
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Anger gives way to euphoria @ Campa Cola society
In the ruling on Wednesday, the court has also ordered the BMC to take action against the builders.
The apex court had earlier ordered BMC to demolish 96 flats across 35 illegal floors in seven buildings in the compound. The SC deadline to vacate the flats ended on Monday.
The flats were built without the permission of BMC and hence were declared illegal. Over 100 families have been residing in the complex for the past 25 years.
The residents of the Campa Cola compound have been waging a long legal battle since 2005 when they first went to court for water connection and regularisation and the court ordered the then municipal commissioner to take time-bound action in the case.